Fabinho has finally sealed his £40million move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ittihad after leaving Liverpool – ending his five-year stay at Anfield – and signing a three-year deal with the Saudi Pro League club.
The Brazilian becomes the latest big name signing at the Middle Eastern outfit after they also lured former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante.
There had been a slight delay in thrashing out a deal amid a paperwork issue – while there was also concern that his dogs would not be allowed in the country – but the deal has now been completed now that all problems have been resolved.
Fabinho owns two French bulldogs and hoped to take them with him despite Saudi Arabia’s strict dog rules.
His breed of dog are classified as ‘dangerous and aggressive dogs’ in Saudi Arabia and are generally not allowed in the country, though this had not been a major issue in holding up the deal.
Fabinho has completed his big-money move to Saudi side Al-Ittihad after leaving Liverpool
The player will turn out for the Saudi Arabian side for the next three years as his time at Anfield comes to a close
The decorated midfielder marked his move with an emotional video tribute to his time at Anfield shared on Instagram with a caption that detailed his varied successes at the Merseyside club.
Fabinho said: ‘Today I leave my home. It’s been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honor 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.
‘I love what this crowd represents for the club. This love relationship between the club and the fans has always impressed me. And I can say without fear that “You’ll never walk alone”, after that match, alongside our fans, was the most defining moment of my career with Liverpool. I say this with a heart full of joy: I love this club. Thank you, Reds, for everything we’ve experienced together. You will never walk alone.’
Fabinho has enjoyed a hugely successful and trophy-laden spell since he moved to Anfield from Monaco for £40m in 2018.
Jordan Henderson (left) has joined him in leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia – after the club captain sealed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard
The Brazilian’s deal looked in danger amid news he would not be allowed to bring his French bulldogs, which are classified as dangerous or aggressive dogs in Saudi Arabia
Having already won Ligue 1 with the French outfit in 2016-17 he came to Merseyside and won the Champions League in 2018-19, the Premier League in 2019-20 and the FA Cup and Carabao Cup double in 2021-22.
He also won the Community Shield, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup at Liverpool, and his myriad achievements were detailed in the club’s farewell message to their former player, which saw Liverpool thank Fabinho ‘for all of his contributions to the club’s successes during the last five years.’
The Brazil international racked up over 200 appearances for the club, and would leave a considerable hole in the Reds midfield.
For their part, Al-Ittihad appeared to poke fun at speculation that Fabhino’s pets had held up the transfer in their video announcement of their latest signing.
Starting with a number of snipped headlines referencing the furore, the camera then shows Fabhino holding a tiger – in a reference to the club’s nickname – on a chain leash before the midfieder announces that he is now ‘a tiger’ himself.
Jordan Henderson is another ex-Liverpool midfielder who has headed for Saudi, after the former club captain completed a move to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq for £12m.
The Reds have already bolstered their creative options by signing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton for £35m and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60m.
However, with two key players likely to leave the club this summer, Jurgen Klopp has admitted that more players will need to arrive before the transfer window closes.
‘There are so many things to do, he said, speaking on the club’s ‘We are Liverpool’ podcast. ‘The transfer window is open. If my day would have 28 hours at the moment it would not be a problem – I could fill them easily!
In his announcement video, Fabinho posed with his new side’s moniker – a tiger – on a leash
Fabinho enjoyed a hugely successful spell at Liverpool, winning every trophy available
‘Still three-and-a-half weeks until the first game of the season. A few things have to happen before then, definitely, transfer market-wise as well. That is clear now. And it will happen. New players have to come in. We will have a good team.’
Multiple midfield options have been linked with Liverpool.
There has been speculation surrounding a swoop for Southampton’s 19-year-old starlet Romeo Lavia, but his £50m price tag could deter them considering his relative inexperience.
The club are also costing up a move for Crystal Palace man Cheick Doucoure. The south London side have slapped a £70m valuation on the Mali international but are yet to have their resolve tested by a bid.
Earlier in the summer, it looked as if their interest in Nice’s Khepren Thuram had cooled after acquiring Szoboszlai, but the departures of Henderson and Fabinho could revive that.
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