Sept 14 (Reuters) - ⁠Algeria midfielder Ismael Bennacer ⁠has joined Qatar Stars League ‌side Al Gharafa after agreeing to terminate his contract with AC Milan ​by mutual consent, ⁠the club said ⁠on Monday.

The 28-year-old played a ⁠key role ‌in his country's triumphant 2019 Africa ⁠Cup of Nations campaign but was ​omitted ‌from Algeria's squad for ⁠this year's ​World Cup.

Born in France, Bennacer joined Milan from Empoli ⁠in 2019, helping the ​club secure the 2021-22 league title.

However, recurring knee injuries disrupted his ⁠progress and led to loan spells at Olympique de Marseille and Dinamo Zagreb. The ​midfielder has ⁠not played a competitive match ​for Milan since ‌2025 as he struggled ​with fitness problems.

(Reporting by Mohamed Yossry in Cairo)