August 2 – Fabinho has completed a €46.7 million switch from Liverpool to Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League which will see him earn £700,00 per week over the course of his three-year deal.
The 29-year-old will link up with French superstar duo Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante at Al-Ittihad.
The move was thrown into doubt last week over complications between Al-Ittihad and the player, but the transfer is now confirmed after the player was posted on Al-Ittihad’s Instagram account to their 3.5 million followers yesterday evening. Fabinho will face off against his former captain Jordan Henderson at el-Ettifaq and ex-teammate and compatriot Roberto Firmino at Al-Ahli as the SPL season begins later this month.
The Brazilian is the latest high-profile player to join the Saudi Pro League after a fruitful 5-year stint at Anfield, where he played 151 games for the reds in defensive midfield and centre back as cover for the injured now-captain Virgil Van Dijk in 2020/21.
During his time on Merseyside, he was a crucial part of Klopp’s system, helping the team to Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, Club World Cup, Super Cup and Community Shield victories since signing in summer 2018 from AS Monaco.
Speaking on instagram, Fabinho said: “Today I leave my home. It’s been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honour and happiness possible. Since day one at Liverpool, I’ve been embraced by everyone. What I saw inside this club, the relationship between the people there, made me feel like family.
“In these five years, I grew as a player, as a man, I made dreams come true… With that jersey, I won every title a player can dream of. Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup… Thanks to Liverpool, I reached my highest level and played a World Cup. Thanks to Liverpool, I fulfilled my dream of walking into a stadium with my son in my arms. Thanks to Liverpool, I played in the best stadium in the world, with the best atmosphere in the world, which is Anfield. Thanks to Liverpool, I lived the biggest match of my life, the comeback against Barcelona, which was only possible thanks to Anfield. That moment will always be in my memory.”
Liverpool FC have a task on their hands replacing the experience and quality of the Brazilian. The reds have had two bids in the region of £40m rejected for Southampton’s defensive midfielder Romeo Lavia, as the race is on to complete their midfield rebuild ahead of their Premier League opener against Chelsea on August 13
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734907804labto1734907804ofdlr1734907804owedi1734907804sni@o1734907804fni1734907804
