Franck Kessie joins Al-Ahli from Barcelona

Franck Kessie celebrates with Ferran Torres after scoring their team’s second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou on March 19, 2023 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Barcelona has confirmed the departure of midfielder Franck Kessie to Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli.

The Catalan club posted a message on their social media, indicating they had reached an agreement with Al-Ahli with Barcelona receiving a transfer fee of €12.5 million.

Kessie arrived last season on a free transfer from then Serie A champions AC Milan.

However, Kessie never really seemed to be in Xavi Hernandez plans despite arriving with some cache after helping Milan end their Scudetto drought.

Throughout last season, Kessis was fifth choice  behind Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Gavi. On the occasions he was counted on, his performances were up and down.

Despite not having the season he would have wanted, Kessie does leave Barcelona a bit of a cult-hero.

Nicknamed ‘El Presidente,’ Kessie will be remembered for a couple of important goals. He “scored” in the 1-0 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu in the first leg of the Copa del Rey. Barcelona ultimately went on to lose that tie.

The goal he will most be remembered for will be the one in El Clasico at the Camp Nou that all but sealed the league title for Barcelona. The fact that it came in the final minutes of stoppage time only added to the spectacle of it all.

Because he arrived as a free agent, Barcelona will be able to claim the entirety of the transfer fee, which should help them in their quest to register all their players in time for the start of the new season.

In his time with the club, Kessie played in 43 games across all competitions, 16 as a starter, scored three goals and provided three assists.

• Published on 08/09/2023 at 2:33 PM EST
• Last updated on 08/09/2023 at 2:33 PM EST