Kanté Terminates Al-Ittihad Contract To Seal Fenerbahce Move As Ex-Chelsea Star Returns To Europe

N’Golo Kanté has officially completed a dramatic return to European football after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad to join Fenerbahce. The French World Cup winner has signed a deal with the Turkish giants that will keep him in Istanbul until June 2028, following last-minute intervention from FIFA that salvaged a transfer initially derailed by administrative errors.

FIFA Grants Green Light After Deadline Day Chaos

The Kanté saga reached a positive conclusion less than 24 hours after appearing to collapse entirely. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder has now put pen to paper on a long-term contract with Fenerbahce after FIFA approved the move.

The deal had missed the initial registration deadline due to issues with the Transfer Matching System (TMS), leaving Fenerbahce furious and the player’s future uncertain. However, FIFA reviewed the appeal submitted by the Turkish club and accepted that the failure was technical rather than procedural, granting special approval for the transfer to be completed.

Al-Ittihad later confirmed the separation in a short statement, saying:

“The club agrees to sell the remaining period of N’Golo Kanté’s contract.”

That announcement officially cleared the path for Kanté’s return to Europe and ended the uncertainty surrounding his future.

Furious Statements Give Way To Resolution

Just days earlier, Fenerbahce had publicly accused Al-Ittihad of causing the collapse of the deal by failing to upload required documents to the TMS in time. The Turkish club insisted all medicals and paperwork on their end had been completed, describing the situation as unacceptable and damaging.

Despite the strained rhetoric, intense behind-the-scenes negotiations involving both clubs and FIFA ultimately resolved the impasse. The governing body’s approval suggests recognition of the exceptional circumstances surrounding the failed deadline submission.

What initially looked like a major administrative embarrassment has now turned into a significant coup for Fenerbahce, who land one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation.

En-Nesyri Completes Move To Saudi Arabia

As Kanté heads to Istanbul, Youssef En-Nesyri has completed his transfer in the opposite direction. Al-Ittihad confirmed the signing of the Moroccan striker shortly after Kanté’s exit was announced.

En-Nesyri’s move was closely linked to the Kanté deal and was initially feared to be affected by the same paperwork issues. However, the striker has now joined the Saudi Pro League side, providing them with a proven attacking option while freeing up squad space and wages.

The resolution of both transfers brings closure to one of the most chaotic deadline-day sagas of the window and marks a major statement of intent from Fenerbahce as Kanté returns to European football at the highest level.