As he moves to Libya, South African forward Thembinkosi Lorch has expressed his gratitude to the Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca.

The 32-year-old is joining Libyan side Al Ittihad after spending about a year at Wydad, for whom he featured in last year’s FIFA Club World Cup.

“Dear Wydad Family, as I prepare to move on to the next chapter of my journey, I would like to take this moment to sincerely thank the club for the opportunity, support, and memories we have shared,” wrote Lorch.

“Being a part of Wydad has been an honour and a privilege. I am grateful to the president, management, technical team, staff, and my teammates for the trust, guidance, and encouragement throughout my time at the club. The experiences, lessons, and friendships I have gained here will stay with me for the rest of my career and life.”

Lorch added, “Thank you to the supporters for your unwavering passion and belief. Your energy and loyalty made every matchday special and motivated us to always give our best.

“I leave with nothing but respect and appreciation for the club, and I wish Wydad continued success in the seasons ahead. This will always feel like home, and I hope our paths cross again in the future.”

Wydad will pocket $1.5 million (R24 million) for Lorch’s transfer, while Al Ittihad will pay the player a monthly salary of $75,000 (R1.2 million) or $900,000 (R14 million) a year.

Lorch moves to Al Ittihad on a two-and-a-half-year contract.