New Al-Ittihad signing N'Golo Kante has completed his takeover of Belgian club Royal Excelsior Virton.

RE Virton will compete in the local third division next season.

Former Chelsea midfielder Kante began negotiations to buy Virton at the end of last season and he has completed his purchase.

RE Virton announced in a statement this morning: "Flavio Becca [former owner] and N'Golo Kanté formalised the agreement regarding the news that circulated in the Press in recent days.

"The Royal Excelsior Virton football club officially passes into the hands of N'Golo Kanté. The operation will be concluded on July 1st.

"Driven by his passion for football, N'Golo Kanté's will is to continue structuring the club in order to consolidate its bases, stabilise and eventually reconnect with the training tradition of RE Virton, through the Youth Academy."