Riyad Mahrez, an Algerian winger who played for Manchester City in the English Premier League, joined Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the two football clubs revealed on Friday.
Mahrez said in a news release that playing for Manchester City had been both an honour and a privilege. “I came to City to enjoy my football and win trophies, and I did both, and so much more.”
Mahrez, 32, played 236 times for the Sky Blues, tallying 78 goals and 59 assists. In 2018, he transferred from fellow Premier League team Leicester City to Manchester City. For the Sky Blues, he scored a career-high 24 goals in 2021–22.
Throughout his five seasons with Manchester City, Mahrez won four Premier League championships. In Mahrez’s final season, the Sky Blues won the treble, taking home the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League championships.
After being demoted from the Roshn Saudi League, which is the premier league in Saudi Arabia, Al-Ahli participated in the First Division League last season. For the 2023–24 season, the team was relegated to the Roshn Saudi League.
The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia’s real estate section, Roshn, agreed to sponsor the Saudi Pro League in August of last year.
The PIF, which is attempting to merge its controversial LIV Golf Series with the PGA Tour to form a new golf venture, also owns Al-Ahli and fellow Roshn Saudi League clubs Al Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al Nassr.
Mahrez is the most recent in a long line of former European football stars who have been recruited by a PIF-owned team in the past 12 months.
Roberto Firmino, a former Liverpool striker, was acquired by Al-Ahli earlier this month. Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante were recruited by Al-Ittihad last month. In December, Al Nassr acquired Cristiano Ronaldo.
The value of the investment fund exceeds $600 billion.