The defender has been playing for Juventus since 2016.
Rabat – Moroccan football player Mehdi Benatia has left the Italian giant Juventus for the Qatari Al Duhail football club.
Juventus confirmed the player’s exit on Monday, thanking Benatia for his services.
Benatia replied via tweet, thanking the Old Lady and emphasizing that it was a pleasure to play for them.
Grazie di tutto, @MedhiBenatia !https://t.co/6gbUwTqfOu pic.twitter.com/DhKfJyQvJl
— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) January 28, 2019
“It has been an immense pleasure! I hope to be able to come to Madrid to cheer for you – this Juve deserves it,” Benatia wrote.
In a press release, Juventus said that it had finalized an agreement with Al Duhail “for the definitive disposal of the registration rights of the player Medhi El Moutaqui-Benatia for a consideration of € 8 million to be paid in two instalments within October 2019.”
Read Also: French Media: Mehdi Benatia Thinking of Quitting Moroccan Team
The statement added that the permanent transfer fee “may increase of (sic) further maximum €2 million on achieving given conditions in the course of the duration of the contract.”
Upon his arrival at the Turin club, “Benatia immediately became a dependable player by demonstrating his qualities of physical prowess, class and defensive vision,” Juventus cherished his performances.
The footballer played 40 Serie A games with Juventus. He made 14 appearances in the Champions League, 1 in the Italian Super Cup, and 4 in the Coppa Italia.
In 2016 Juventus signed the Moroccan player with a three-year deal worth €17 million.
Read Also: Juventus’ Allegri: Letting go of Benatia Would be an Error
Benatia is also the captain of the Moroccan national football team, with whom he appeared during the 2018 World Cup.
Benatia spent most of his career in Italy, where he played for Udinese, AS Roma, and Juventus. He joined Juventus from Bayern Munich.
Several Moroccan fans have criticized Benatia for moving to Qatar, saying it will be the end of his football carrier.
Benatia struggled in his final season with Juventus as he was benched in the most important games. The footballer kept his expectations high, though, saying a “lion never dies, he sleeps.”
