Luis Figo is set to join Al Ittihad after the Saudi Arabian club's team manager Hamad Al Sanie confirmed a deal has been agreed.

The former Fifa World Player of the Year will put pen to paper over the next couple of days on a 17-month contract, according to Al Sanie, after deciding to leave Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

"It's official now," Al Sanie said. "Figo will sign Friday or Saturday and he'll arrive in Jeddah on January 5th when he'll join the team."

Snaring a player of Figo's calibre will be an enormous coup for Middle Eastern football.

"We chose Figo because he's a big star and the coach of the team (Dmitri Davidovic) asked us to look for a midfielder and, after we suggested Figo to the coach, he welcomed the idea.

"The contract of Figo will be for 17 months but the fee is not disclosed."

Al Ittihad are historically one of the most successful teams in Saudi Arabia and are based in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah.