Fenerbahce has credited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for playing a “significant” part in the club’s high-profile signing of France midfielder N’Golo Kante from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
The 34-year-old World Cup winner officially joined the Istanbul giants on Wednesday, with the club highlighting Erdogan’s support as pivotal in finalising the deal.
Kante, who turns 35 next month, had been linked with a move to Fenerbahce earlier this winter, but an administrative mishap appeared to derail the transfer.
That obstacle has now been overcome, allowing the midfielder to continue his career in Turkey and boost his prospects of securing a place in France’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The details of Kante’s contract have not been disclosed, but the move represents a major coup for the 19-time Turkish champions.
“Our club has successfully completed the transfer of N’Golo Kante, a prominent figure in world football,” Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran said.
“On behalf of myself and our club, I would like to express our gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his significant support in ensuring the positive conclusion of this process, which will contribute to the development of both Fenerbahce and Turkish football.”
Kante joins a Fenerbahce squad already strengthened by the recent acquisition of his France teammate Matteo Guendouzi.
The Istanbul side sit just three points behind Galatasaray in the tight Süper Lig title race and are preparing for a Europa League knockout phase play-off against Nottingham Forest later this month, marking a crucial period in both domestic and European competitions.
For Fenerbahce, the Kante signing is more than a sporting statement. It underscores the club’s ambition to challenge for silverware at home and abroad while demonstrating the influence of state-level support in facilitating complex international transfers.
With the midfield reinforced by Kante’s energy and experience, and Guendouzi’s creativity, the Turkish champions are hoping to mount a strong title challenge and make an impact in Europe.
The arrival of a player of Kante’s calibre also signals a broader trend of Turkish clubs targeting elite international talent, aiming to boost the league’s profile while giving domestic fans a chance to see world-class players in action on home soil.
