Riyad Mahrez leaves Manchester City for Al-Ahli as the most recent soccer star to maneuver to Saudi Arabia

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Riyad Mahrez is the most recent Premier League participant to move to Saudi Arabia after signing with Al-Ahli.

The Algeria worldwide was a key participant in Leicester’s stunning title win in 2016 after which gained the league 4 extra occasions with Manchester City. He leaves after a season wherein City gained the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

“I’ve made a lifetime of wonderful memories and the manner of our Premier League title wins and the battles we’ve had with Liverpool and, last year, Arsenal, underlined our collective desire and mentality to be the best,” Mahrez stated in a press release on City’s web site.

Mahrez scored 15 targets in 47 video games in his ultimate season with City however didn’t begin in a few of the greatest matches. He was an unused substitute in each the Champions League and FA Cup finals, and he solely made one substitute look from the Champions League quarterfinals onward.

At Al-Ahli, he’ll be part of Roberto Firmino, who was previously with Liverpool, and former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Al-Ahli, from the Saudi port metropolis of Jeddah, stated the 32-year-old Mahrez signed a contract by the tip of the 2026-27 season.

Born within the Paris suburbs, Mahrez got here by the French decrease leagues earlier than becoming a member of Leicester within the English second tier in January 2014. The membership was promoted to the Premier League in his first season and Mahrez was essential to its sensational title win in 2016 along with his 17 targets.

Mahrez’s heroics at Leicester led to him being named African Player of the Year for 2016. At worldwide stage, he captained Algeria to the 2019 African Cup of Nations title.

Al-Ahli can be set to signal considered one of Europe’s highest-rated younger coaches in Matthias Jaissle, Austrian membership Salzburg stated in a press release confirming the 35-year-old German had been launched from his duties.

Salzburg stated Jaissle requested for a transfer two days earlier than the brand new Austrian league season begins, and that talks between the membership and Al-Ahli had been underway.

“Our view is that a coach that is so busy exploring a new job just two days before the start of such an important season should not be in charge when it starts,” Salzburg normal supervisor Stephan Reiter stated. League play begins Friday and Salzburg’s first recreation is Saturday.

Jaissle was praised for reaching the knockout phases of the Champions League with Salzburg in his first season in cost in 2021-22.

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