French star Kante seals move to Fenerbahce with Erdogans backing

French international Ngolo Kante has joined Turkish side Fenerbahce from Saudi team Al Ittihad, aided by backing from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to the club on Wednesday.

The World Cup champion, who will be 35 next month, was due to transfer to Istanbul previously, but the deal fell through over a paperwork issue.

Details of Kantés contract remain undisclosed, yet it provides the double Premier League victor with Leicester in 2016 and Chelsea in 2017 an opportunity to strengthen his case for Frances World Cup squad.

Erdogan visited Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, marking his first trip there in over two years.

Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran stated, Our club has finalised the signing of NGolo Kante, a key player in global football.

I speak for myself and the club in thanking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his vital assistance, which helped bring this deal to a successful end and will boost Fenerbahce along with Turkish football overall, he continued.

The 19 time Turkish title holders Fenerbahce have also brought in fellow French midfielder Matteo Guendouzi in the recent transfer period.

They remain in a close race for the domestic crown, trailing Istanbul rivals Galatasaray by three points, and will take on English side Nottingham Forest in the Europa League play off rounds later this month.