Moussa Diaby joined Aston Villa from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth nearly £52m, scoring 10 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions, helping Unai Emery's side qualify for the Champions League; he has now moved on to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia
Wednesday 24 July 2024 22:59, UK
Aston Villa have confirmed that record-signing Moussa Diaby has joined Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad.
Diaby joined Villa from Bayer Leverkusen last summer in a deal worth nearly £52m, scoring 10 goals in 54 appearances across all competitions, helping Unai Emery's side qualify for the Champions League.
The France winger had spent four years in Germany before joining Villa for the club-record fee in a move that saw him link up again with Emery, who had managed him at Paris Saint-Germain.
His latest move will see him team up with compatriots Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante, as well as former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho, as Al Ittihad - under head coach Laurent Blanc - aim to improve on a fifth-placed finish last term.
Sky Germany reported on Monday that Al Ittihad had agreed a £50m (€60m) deal to sign Diaby.
Diaby was reportedly going to sign a contract until 2029 on a gross salary of almost £20m per year.
The winger thanked Villa fans on social media as his departure was announced, writing: "Villans, thank you for everything. It's time to say goodbye. I'd like to thank the club, the team members, the staff and everyone working at Aston Villa.
"I've always given my best to help the club and the team, we've had some great moments that will stay in my memory. We've had a fantastic season, with moments of joy and happiness.
"Together, we've achieved our objectives. The club will be playing in the Champions League next year and I wish them success. It's a season I will remember forever. Villans, I won't forget you."
The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.
The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
