Gerrard sees unwanted Al-Ettifaq exit confirmed as Saudi club release statement

Steven Gerrard has suffered another Saudi blow after losing one of his Al-Ettifaq stars.

The Liverpool icon has had a difficult few seasons at the club since being appointed in 2023. His side finished a miserable sixth place in his first season – and things have only gotten worse since.

Ettifaq are currently eleventh and just six points clear of the Saudi Pro League relegation zone. That has called Gerrard's position at the club into question.

However, his task has not been helped by the departure of midfielder Seko Fofana. The Frenchman was loaned from Saudi rivals Al-Nassr midway through last season and was a regular in the first team.

But it has now been announced that he has left the club and wants to move permanently to Rennes, France. A statement from Al-Ettifaq read: “Ettifaq announces the termination of the loan agreement of the player Seko Fofana, who was loaned from Al-Nassr FC during last summer's transfer window, by mutual consent between both parties.

“The club expresses its sincere thanks to the player for his time with the team and wishes him the best of luck in his next challenge. Ettifaq also expresses its gratitude and appreciation to the board of directors and executives of Al-Nassr FC for their efforts .” continuous and professional cooperation.”

After returning to France, where he previously represented Lens, Fofana said: “I am very happy to join Stade Rennais and start 2025 with this new challenge. I have always kept a close eye on Stade Rennais, and it is a club I have met many times.

“The conversations with Arnaud Pouille and Frederic Massara made the difference. They told me about the project and the expectations of the shareholders. The message was powerful and the decision afterward was very simple.

“I'm very excited about the idea of ​​starting. There are some talented players at Rennes and I don't think the club is where it should be. We are going to have the opportunity to play a series of games and leave Seeing that the start of the season was below the club's potential, I hope we can turn things around quickly.”

Fofana is not the first big Al-Ettifaq midfielder to leave the club. Jordan Henderson also left after just six months to join Dutch side Ajax.

Boss Gerrard still has two and a half years left on the lucrative deal he signed to move to Saudi Arabia. Ettifaq will be in action next week when they take on Al-Kholood.

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