La Liga outfit Sevilla confirmed on Tuesday that veteran Croatian international midfielder Ivan Rakitic has left the club to join Saudi Arabian outfit Al Shabab.

Rakitic leaves for the Saudi Pro-League after making 323 appearances for Sevilla in two periods, between 2010-2014 (after which he left to play for FC Barcelona) and 2020-2024, helping the club win the Europa League title in 2014 and 2023.

The midfielder was a set-piece specialist and also contributed 51 goals.

"I have been seven years and I have felt the affection towards me and I have also received a lot of messages in the past few days," said the midfielder in a press conference to say 'goodbye' to the club.

"We have to know that all periods come to an end, and we have to understand that, even though it hurts. It hasn't been an honor to play here, it has been more than that," said Rakitic.

Although Sevilla will miss Rakitic's experience, his departure comes with the club 16th in La Liga and just one point above the relegation zone, and it is likely that Sevilla will now use the extra place in the squad and the money freed up by not having to pay his wages to make a late move for a striker in the closing hours of the transfer window. 

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