Edouard Mendy leaves Chelsea, joins Al-Ahli for £16m

Edouard Mendy has joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli from Chelsea for a reported fee of £16m.

The Senegal international, 31, becomes the latest player to depart Stamford Bridge in a continued summer of upheaval at the Premier League club.

He is the third player to leave Chelsea for a team in the Saudi Pro League following the departures of Kalidou Koulibaly to Al-Hilal and N’Golo Kante to Al-Ittihad respectively.

Blues winger Hakim Ziyech is also reportedly the subject of interest from teams in Saudi Arabia.

A statement from Chelsea said: “Edouard Mendy has left Chelsea after three seasons and completed a permanent transfer to Saudi Professional League side Al-Ahli.

“The 31-year-old will be best remembered at Stamford Bridge for the key role he played on our run to Champions League glory in 2021.

“Having started his career in the lower tiers of French football – and even spending several months without a club – Edouard Mendy rose to the pinnacle of European football with Chelsea.

“A hugely likeable character on and off the pitch, he will always have a place in our history for his significant contributions to our 2021 Champions League triumph.

“For that, and for everything else, we are grateful. Good luck, Edou! “

Edouard Mendy originally joined the Blues in 2020 from Rennes and helped the club win the Champions League in his first season, keeping a record-equalling nine clean sheets along the way.

This led to him winning the 2021 Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper award having also starred for his country in the successful AFCON title win that year.

However, following a dip in form and a spate of managerial changes at Chelsea, Mendy fell out of favour, with Kepa Arrizabalaga preferred.

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic has also left Chelsea to join Premier League champions Manchester City.