Fab deal for Al-Ittihad as midfielder leaves Liverpool

Al-Ittihad have signed Fabinho from Liverpool, ending his five-year stint on Merseyside.

The midfielder joins fellow stars N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema under the tutelage of Nuno Espirito Santo.

Following the announcement, Fabinho posted an emotional farewell message on social media.

He said: "Today I leave my home. It's been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honor and happiness possible. 

"Since day one at Liverpool, I've been embraced by everyone. What I saw inside this club, the relationship between the people there, made me feel like family. 

"In these five years, I grew as a player, as a man, I made dreams come true. With that jersey, I won every title a player can dream of. Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup. 

"Thanks to Liverpool, I reached my highest level and played a World Cup. Thanks to Liverpool, I fulfilled my dream of walking into a stadium with my son in my arms. 

"Thanks to Liverpool, I played in the best stadium in the world, with the best atmosphere in the world, which is Anfield. 

"Thanks to Liverpool, I lived the biggest match of my life, the comeback against Barcelona, ​​which was only possible thanks to Anfield. That moment will always be in my memory.

"I love what this crowd represents for the club. This love relationship between the club and the fans has always impressed me. 

"And I can say without fear that 'You’ll never walk alone', after that match, alongside our fans, was the most defining moment of my career with Liverpool.

"I say this with a heart full of joy: I love this club. Thank you, Reds, for everything we've experienced together. You will never walk alone."

Fabinho, 29, made 219 appearances for the Reds. But with Jurgen Klopp rebuilding his midfield after a disappointing 2022-23 campaign, the midfielder was allowed to move on. 

Skipper Jordan Henderson completed a move to the Middle East earlier this summer, while Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have arrived at Anfield.