N’Golo Kante puts new Saudi Arabia millions to use – by buying a football team

N'Golo Kante has wasted no time putting his Saudi megabucks to good use after buying a football team.

The former Chelsea and Leicester City star has purchased Belgian third-tier side Royal Excelsior Virton, who will play in the National Division 1 during the 2023-24 season. It comes just days after Kante, 32, confirmed he would join Saudi Arabian Pro League side Al-Ittihad from the Blues – a move that will become official on 1 July.

Kante is reportedly set to earn a huge £86.2million across three years in Saudi Arabia, making him one of the highest paid players in the world. The France international has already started spending those riches, emulating the likes of current pros Jamie Vardy and Wilfried Zaha who have also invested in their own football teams.

"Flavio [the previous chairman] is obviously extremely happy to be able to hand over the keys of the club to N'Golo Kante, a high-class player, not only for his footballing qualities but also and above all for his unanimously recognised human qualities," Royal Excelsior said in a statement.

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"Driven by his passion for football, the will of N'Golo Kante is to continue the structuring of the club in order to consolidate its foundations, stabilise the staff and eventually reconnect with the tradition of training RE Virton, via its Youth Academy.

"The club aims to establish its local roots in order to become a driving force in football in Gaume and in the province of Luxembourg."

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Royal Excelsior, who is based near Belgium's border with Luxembourg, play two steps below the country's top division. Formed 101 years ago, the club play home games at the 4,015 capacity Stade Yvan Georges.

No details have been released concerning how much World Cup winner Kante paid for the club, who'll no doubt be targeting promotion in Kante's first season at the helm.

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