31 July 2023 , 19:59
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Fabinho has left Liverpool to join Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £40million as the Brazilian midfielder becomes the latest player to join the Saudi Pro league.
It brings an end to the 29-year-old’s five-year spell at Anfield, where he made 219 senior appearances. Playing at the base of a three-man midfield, Fabinho played a key role as Jurgen Klopp’s side won the Champions League in 2019 and secured their first league title in three decades the following season.
Those were two of the seven trophies that the Brazil international won during his time on Merseyside. He joins Jordan Henderson in the Saudi top flight after he agreed to terms ridiculous £700,000 per week wage to join Al-Ettifaq.
The moves are part of a new strategy from Saudi Arabian chiefs to bring big-name players to the country. The Middle East nation’s football scene has made waves ever since Cristiano Ronaldo was signed by Al-Nassr in January after the Portuguese superstar left Manchester United.
Al-Ittihad, based in Jeddah, have arguably recruited the most notably in this summer transfer window. They have added Fabinho to the current Ballon d’Or holder Karim Benzema – who joined from Real Madrid – alongside former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and Portuguese winger Jota, who joined from Celtic.
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A statement accompanying the official announcement reads: "The Ittihad Media Center has announced that the Board of Directors of Ittihad Club, under the leadership of Anmar Abdullah Al-Hailae, has signed a contract with Brazilian player Fabinho, who is joining the club from Liverpool FC in England and has signed a three-season contract.
"This signing is part of Ittihad Club's efforts to reinforce the team with outstanding players, who will support their journey in the upcoming phase, which includes multiple domestic and international competitions."
Fabinho has left Liverpool after a successful spell at Anfield (@ittihad_en/Twitter)
Fabinho himself took to social media, penning an open letter to Liverpool supporters: “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."
Meanwhile, Riyadh-based club Al-Hilal have also secured multiple signings from the Premier League – signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Chelsea and midfielder Ruben Neves from Wolves, while also splashing out on Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
Fabinho is one of a few stars with a Liverpool association moving to Saudi Arabia this summer. Compatriot Roberto Firmino put pen to paper on a switch to Al Ahli after leaving Anfield at the end of his contract, while Henderson signed for Ettifaq to be reunited with Kop legend Steven Gerrard.
Former Reds’ striker Robbie Fowler has taken the reins of second-tier side Al-Qadsiah. There could yet be more players to make the move to the Gulf state before the end of the transfer window.
The exit of Fabinho – who had three years left to serve on his contract at Anfield – has added to the squad rebuilding issues at Liverpool. The club have already lost an exodus of midfielders this summer with James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain among the exits as free agents.
The Reds have signed Alexis MacAllister from Brighton and RB Leipzig attacking star Dominik Szoboszlai.