Fenerbahce have announced that a €17 million (Dh70m) deal has been struck with Al Ahli to bring Moussa Sow to the Arabian Gulf League.

The announcement came from the Turkish team’s Twitter feed on Friday and included pictures of a clearly emotional farewell between Sow and the Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim. 

Fener sporting director Guillano Terraneo was quoted as saying: “You were also a very important player for our project. We did not want you to leave, but that’s life.

“I wish you success. I tried very hard to keep you, but you want to go.”

That statement was followed by one from Sow, who said: “I want to thank everyone who supported me. I’ve had a lot of experiences in my career but Fenerbahce has been the best.

“I had many beautiful moments here. The crowd always supported me.”

Al Ahli are yet to officially confirm the transfer but the Senegal international would be ineligible for the rest of the 2015 AFC Champions League campaign as the registration deadline passed last month.