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France Winger Diaby Joins Saudi’s Al-Ittihad 

Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Semi Final - First Leg - Aston Villa v Olympiacos - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - May 2, 2024 Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Semi Final - First Leg - Aston Villa v Olympiacos - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - May 2, 2024 Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
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France Winger Diaby Joins Saudi’s Al-Ittihad 

Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Semi Final - First Leg - Aston Villa v Olympiacos - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - May 2, 2024 Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Europa Conference League - Semi Final - First Leg - Aston Villa v Olympiacos - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - May 2, 2024 Aston Villa's Moussa Diaby celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

France winger Moussa Diaby has joined Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad, where he will team up with compatriots Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante under French coach Laurent Blanc, the Saudi club said Wednesday.

The 25-year-old who began his career with Paris Saint-Germain leaves English club Aston Villa after just one season following his transfer from Leverkusen a year ago.

He played 54 matches for Villa last season, scoring 10 goals and making nine assists.

In a statement on Wednesday, Al-Ittihad said Diaby was joining on a five-year contract, adding that he has arrived in the club's training camp in Spain, without mentioning the value of the deal.

"He will be a significant asset to the team," Al-Ittihad CEO Domingos Oliveira said in a statement.

The announcement comes nearly two weeks after former France manager Blanc was announced as the next coach of Al-Ittihad, reuniting with Benzema who was in his Euro 2012 squad.

The Al-Ittihad squad also includes N'Golo Kante, a starter in the France team that reached the last four at the current Euros, and former Monaco and Liverpool Brazilian Fabinho.

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Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Takes Center Stage in Global Cycling

AlUla's cycling infrastructure has seen remarkable growth, with dedicated cycling tracks expanding from 45 kilometers to 68 kilometers. SPA
AlUla's cycling infrastructure has seen remarkable growth, with dedicated cycling tracks expanding from 45 kilometers to 68 kilometers. SPA
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Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Takes Center Stage in Global Cycling

AlUla's cycling infrastructure has seen remarkable growth, with dedicated cycling tracks expanding from 45 kilometers to 68 kilometers. SPA
AlUla's cycling infrastructure has seen remarkable growth, with dedicated cycling tracks expanding from 45 kilometers to 68 kilometers. SPA

The highly anticipated Tour of AlUla 2025 has officially commenced, uniting some of the world's top cyclists to race through the breathtaking landscapes of this historic oasis.

Cycling enthusiasts worldwide are focusing on the event, which has cemented AlUla's status as a premier destination for the sport, The Saudi Press Agency reported.

Now in its fifth edition, the Tour of AlUla is a key fixture on the Asian Tour calendar under the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The event features Olympic champions, stage winners from major international races, and European titleholders, reinforcing its significance in the global cycling scene, SPA said.

Beyond the professional competition, the event also fosters grassroots engagement. Following the opening stage on Tuesday, 25 students participated in a training ride led by Saudi Arabia’s first female professional cyclist, Marwa Adel, a member of Team Jayco–AlUla.

The young riders had the opportunity to interact with international athletes and participate in a dedicated race, marking an inspiring moment for the future of cycling in the Kingdom.

AlUla's cycling infrastructure has seen remarkable growth, with dedicated cycling tracks expanding from 45 kilometers to 68 kilometers. The northern region, including Hegra and Shlal, now boasts an additional 23 kilometers of tracks, making AlUla an attractive hub for both professional and amateur cyclists, SPA said.

As the Tour of AlUla 2025 progresses, the region continues to showcase its world-class cycling facilities, offering a unique blend of competitive sport and scenic adventure, it added.