Official: Africa's most expensive goalkeeper in history departs Chelsea 

Through their official website, Chelsea have informed that Senegal international Edouard Mendy has left Stamford Bridge and completed a permanent transfer to Saudi Professional League side Al-Ahli.

Mendy joined Chelsea from Rennes in 2020 for a fee of €24million, making him the most expensive African goalkeeper in history.

Voted best goalkeeper in the world for 2021 after winning the Champions League with Chelsea, Mendy struggled for game time last season, where he played second fiddle to Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The 31-year-old has embarked on a new chapter in his career ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

By moving to Al-Ahli, he has followed in the footsteps of N'Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly who recently swapped Chelsea for Saudi Professional League clubs, and they will soon be joined by another player with an African background, Hakim Ziyech, who will undergo a medical with Al Nassr in the coming days.

Chelsea agreed to end their association with Mendy after accepting a bid in the region of 20 million euros from Al-Ahli. 

An Africa Cup of Nations winner with Senegal in 2022, Mendy made 105 appearances during his time at Chelsea, keeping 49 clean sheets while conceding 86 goals. 

Igho Kingsley