Fenerbahce have confirmed the signing of N'Golo Kante from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad after a deal was revived between the two clubs. 

A potential transfer for Kante broke down on Monday.

On Tuesday, Fenerbahce released a statement blaming Al-Ittihad for making the switch fall through.

Fener said the deal, which involved Youssef En-Nesyri moving in the opposite direction, could not initially go through due to administrative errors by Al-Ittihad.

However, an agreement was struck and, with FIFA's permission, Kante has now put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him with the Turkish Super Lig giants until June 2028. 

Kante made 79 league appearances for Al-Ittihad after joining them from Chelsea in 2023, scoring eight goals and providing nine assists. 

The 34-year-old also helped Al-Ittihad to the Saudi Pro League and King's Cup titles in 2024-25. 

Bazı hikayeler zaman alır, ama yarım kalmaz.

Fenerbahçemize hoş geldin N'Golo Kante. pic.twitter.com/Yd8t0lldUd

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) February 4, 2026

Fener are chasing their first league title since 2013-14 and sit three points behind leaders Galatasaray, with Matteo Guendouzi also joining the club in January. 

En-Nesyri, meanwhile, did join Al-Ittihad as part of the Kante deal as planned, with the Moroccan having netted seven goals in 16 Super Lig appearances this season. 

The 28-year-old is seen as a replacement for former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, who left Al-Ittihad earlier this week to join Pro League rivals Al-Hilal.