Juventus defender Benatia joins Qatari club Al-Duhail

22:55 - 05 August 2024

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Fiery: Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri argues with Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia

Moroccan centre-back Medhi Benatia has left Italian giants Juventus for Qatar's Al-Duhail in a deal worth up to 10 million euros ($11.4 million), the Serie A club announced on Monday.

Juventus said in a statement that Al-Duhail will pay eight million euros in two instalments for Benatia as well as a further two million euros in bonuses.

The defender made 59 appearances for Juventus since arriving in 2016, winning two Serie A and domestic cup titles and the Italian Super Cup.

However the 31-year-old fell out of favour with coach Massimiliano Allegri following the return of Leonardo Bonucci last summer from AC Milan.

Bonucci has been sidelined with an ankle sprain but according to press reports Benatia will be replaced by Lazio's Uruguayan defender Martin Caceres, who has already passed a medical.