Esperance de Tunis forward Youssef Msakni has joined Qatari side Lekhwiya on a four-year deal for $15 million, an Arab record transfer fee, the Tunisian champions announced on Tuesday.

The deal will come into effect next January however, as the 21-year-old will have the chance to feature in this year's CAF Champions League with Esperance.

The Tunisian international was instrumental in Esperance's Champions League triumph last year. He also produced a string of superb performances with Tunisia in the African Cup of Nations earlier this year, scoring two vital goals.

Several European clubs, such as Premier League side Arsenal and French duo Paris Saint Germain and Lille were believed to be interested in his services, but Msakni eventually chose the lucrative Qatari deal.

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