Juventus' Medhi Benatia Transfers to Al Duhail Sports Club in Qatar

Juventus confirmed on Monday that defender Medhi Benatia had left the club to sign for Al Duhail Sports Club in Qatar.

In a statement on their official website, the Italian champions said the deal will be worth a guaranteed €8 million, which will be paid in two installments before October 2019, and they may yet receive an extra €2 million in performance-based add-ons for the Moroccan.

"Always ready to respond to the call and do it with high level performances, for this and much more we sincerely thank Medhi Benatia and wish him all the best in his new chapter," the bulletin continued.

The Italian champions posted the following clip on their Twitter account, reflecting on some of the player's best moments for the club:

As relayed by BBC Sport, Juventus are poised to replace the 31-year-old with former defender Martin Caceres, who was photographed arriving for his medical with the Bianconeri on Sunday.

The move brings an end to three years in Turin for Benatia, having spent the 2016-17 campaign on loan with the Serie A side before making the move permanently.

In that time he's been a dependable option for manager Massimiliano Allegri, helping the team continue their dominance of Italian football. During his time at Juve, the centre-back won the Serie A title twice and the Coppa Italia twice.

The Sportsman Transfers thinks the defender represents excellent value for his new club:

Italian football journalist Adam Digby noted that with Benatia injured and a recent injury to Leonardo Bonucci, Allegri may be a little short when it comes to centre-backs: 

Despite some high points during his time at Juventus, this season Benatia had slipped into fourth choice in the pecking order in defence, with Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Daniele Rugani ahead of him.

With that in mind, it's not a shock to see Juventus seek to move on the veteran for a decent fee, especially given he will not be leaving for a European rival. 

Benatia will now be out to make an impression in Qatar in the twilight years of his career. Al Duhail are managed by former Manchester United assistant Rui Faria. After winning a domestic treble last term, they sit in second place in the Qatar Stars League, two points back on leaders Al Sadd.