Rakitic Joins Saudi Side Al Shabab From Sevilla
Ivan Rakitic has ended his second spell at Sevilla and joined Saudi Arabia side Al Shabab.
The former Croatia international played 323 times for the club across two spells, which is the most by a foreigner in Sevilla's history.
Rakitic won the Europa League in each of his two stints at Sevilla.
The 35-year-old first joined from Schalke 04 in 2011 before enjoying a six-year spell at Barcelona between 2014 and 2020,which brought four La Liga titles and the UEFA Champions League in 2015.
Rakitic returned to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in 2020 and has made 27 appearances this term in a difficult season for Sevilla.
"We have agreed a deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab Club for the transfer of Ivan Rakitic, who will bring his second spell with us to a close," Sevilla said in a statement.
In his farewell speech to Sevilla, Rakitic said: "Today is a day that we would all like to get done quickly and move on. I have received many kind words and a lot of affection in recent days, but for me the most important thing is the memories we share that will live on. It has been seven years where I have felt loved here. Sometimes you have to understand that eras come to an end, even if it hurts. If there is any way to repay all this support it is with those trophies beside me, and Sevilla FC has a few!"
"I was born in Switzerland, to a Croatian family, but my home is here in Seville. Now I have to leave, but I'll be back. It won't be on the pitch because I'm not getting any younger, but I'm determined to return in some capacity. I will continue watching from afar and support the team through this difficult season, but I'm sure everything will go smoothly. I will wear the shirt in places across the world to show what it means to be a Sevillista. Nothing compares," insisted Rakitic.
