Al Ittihad completed the biggest Saudi Pro League transfer of the summer so far on Wednesday evening after announcing the arrival of French forward Moussa Diaby from Aston Villa.
Diaby, who spent one season at Premier League side Villa, has signed a five-year contract with Ittihad. While the exact sum of the transfer fee has yet to be revealed, it is widely reported that the Jeddah giants paid £51.9 million ($67m) to secure the Frenchman's services.
"I am thrilled to join Al Ittihad and be part of a project that aims to build a strong team reflecting the club's rich history and values," Diaby, 25, said. "I look forward to collaborating with my teammates to achieve victories and bring joy to our dedicated fans."
Diaby had a largely successful solitary season at Villa, scoring 10 goals and creating nine assists in 54 matches across all competitions to help the club qualify for the 2024/25 Uefa Champions League by placing fourth in the Premier League.
His move to Villa Park came after establishing himself as a leading player in the German Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he spent four seasons having joined from boyhood club Paris Saint-Germain in 2019.
Diaby is Ittihad's second major international transfer deal of the summer following the arrival of Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar from Roma for a reported €12m ($13m). The club have also signed Saudi international midfielder Ahmed Al Ghamdi from Al Ettifaq, full-back Muath Fagihy and forward Saleh Al Shehri, both from Al Hilal.
Ittihad will hope the arrival of Diaby will help to transform them back into contenders after the nine-time Pro League champions struggled to defend their title last season; they finished fifth in the table, 42 points behind winners Al Hilal.
Diaby, capped 11 times by France, also further boosts a strong French contingent at the club, which includes star striker Karim Benzema, World Cup-winning midfielder N'Golo Kante, and manager Laurent Blanc. Fellow new signing Aouar represented France at youth level before committing to Algeria.
"Our sports committee identified the need to strengthen the winger position with an exceptional player, and we are confident Moussa Diaby is one of the top players who stand out globally in this role," Ittihad CEO Domingos Oliveira said.
"He will be a significant asset to the team. His addition aligns perfectly with our preparations for the new season, aiming to achieve remarkable performances and results that honour Al Ittihad's esteemed legacy and its passionate fanbase."
The 2024/25 Saudi Pro League season begins on August 22, with Ittihad playing their first match away to promoted Al Kholood on August 24.
