The 33-year-old Spanish defender joined Lazio from Barcelona on a free transfer in 2015 and leaves after making 244 competitive appearances for the Italian club, scoring six goals and providing six assists.
The transfer was completed close to the deadline after negotiations nearly collapsed during the preparation and translation of the contracts. A possible transcription error concerning some of the agreement’s conditions threatened to derail the move, but the two clubs eventually found a solution.
Patric had already travelled to Dubai and was hoping to complete the transfer without returning to Rome. Lazio had excluded him from their Serie A squad, alongside Luca Pellegrini, while his limited involvement during pre-season had left him without an appearance in what would have been his 12th season with the club.
The defender had arrived at Lazio as a youngster in 2015 and spent more than a decade with the club, experiencing Champions League nights, European campaigns, finals and trophies.
He said goodbye to the supporters in an emotional message on social media.
“Hello Laziali, I arrived here as a child and I leave as a man. In between, there was you,” Patric wrote.
“Not even in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a love story. We have won, lost, suffered and celebrated. We have experienced Champions League nights, battles in Europe, finals, trophies and records that will remain in history.”
Patric said that the relationship with Lazio’s supporters would be what he remembered most from his time in Rome.
“But you know what? At the end of all this, what I will really take with me isn't the numbers, it's love. Your love, the real one,” he wrote.
“You have been like parents to a son. You were hard on me when I made mistakes, you told me things that hurt when I deserved it. But when I gave everything, you respected, defended and loved me.”
The move to Al-Ittifaq brings an end to one of the longest spells of Patric’s career at a single club. He joins a side coached by former Juventus manager Paolo Montero, with Mario Balotelli and Douglas Costa also among the players at the club.
Lazio will not receive a transfer fee, but the departure removes Patric’s salary from the club’s wage bill, reportedly saving around €3 million gross per season.
Patric leaves having spent 11 years in Rome and after becoming a familiar figure for Lazio supporters.
“This shirt made me fall and get back up, made me suffer, rejoice, grow and become the man I am today,” he said. “I arrived as a child, I leave as a man. But a part of me will remain here forever.”