After a £40 million proposal from Saudi Arabia, the 29-year-old did not travel with the Reds to a recent training camp in Germany.
As the transfer was finalized, Fabinho was also left out of the club’s current trip to Singapore.
He has 29 caps for his country and joined Liverpool from Monaco in July 2018 for a sum in the region of £39 million.
Fabinho announced he was leaving his “home” after five years of representing Liverpool “with the greatest honor and happiness possible.”
“I say this with a joyful heart: I love this club,” he continued. Thank you for everything we’ve been through together, Reds.”
Fabinho is the latest high-profile addition for Al-Ittihad this summer, as part of a large inflow of players into the Saudi Pro League.
Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, former Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, and ex-Celtic forward Jota have all joined the team managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, who formerly managed Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur.
The signing of Fabinho is part of Al-Ittihad’s desire to “reinforce the team with outstanding players who will support their journey in the upcoming phase, which includes multiple domestic and international competitions.”
Fabinho appeared in 219 games for Liverpool, scoring 11 goals.
He helped the Reds win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and the Fifa Club World Cup during his stay with the club.
“We’d like to thank Fabinho for his contributions to the club’s success over the last five years,” Liverpool added.
Jordan Henderson, another Merseyside club midfielder, has also left the club to join Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.
Liverpool have already lost five regular midfielders this summer, with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita also leaving after their contracts ended.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk has taken over as Liverpool captain, with defender Trent Alexander-Arnold taking over as vice-captain from Milner.
