Benzema joins Al Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid

Veteran striker Karim Benzema has signed for Al Ittihad, the new Saudi Pro League champions.

Benzema has officially said goodbye to Real Madrid after the 2022-23 season, ending a successful 14-year association at the Santiago Bernabeu. He scored his final goal for the club in a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, his 354th in 648 appearances for the Madrid No. 1. Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner, has also won 25 trophies at Real Madrid - including 4 La Liga, 5 Champions League, 3 Copa del Rey, 4 Spanish Super Cups, 4 European Super Cups and 5 FIFA Club World Cups.

The former France striker was expected to sign a one-year extension to his Real Madrid contract, but a huge offer from Al Ittihad has changed all that. Sources told ESPN that Benzema has been offered a two-year deal worth €400m by the Saudi champions - the same deal his former team-mate Ronaldo received when he joined Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in January.

“I am very happy to experience a new football league in a new country. Al-Ittihad has a great history, passionate fans and the ambition to become a force in Asia after winning the Saudi Pro League,” Benzema said in a club statement. “I have been fortunate to achieve great things in my career, and to achieve everything possible in Spain and Europe.

“I now feel the right time for a new challenge and project. Every time I visit Saudi Arabia, I always feel the warmth and love from the fans and the people. I look forward to joining my new teammates and, together with them, helping to take this great club and football in Saudi Arabia to the next level.”

The reigning Ballon d'Or winner is the next big name after Cristiano Ronaldo to join Saudi Arabian football.

Al Ittihad Chairman Anmar Bin Abdullah Alhailae added: “The signing of the Ballon d’Or winner is another historic milestone for this special club. Karim is a global football icon, and at the peak of his powers.

“He joins a highly competitive club and league – in a country with huge ambitions both on and off the pitch. We know all eyes will be on him and can’t wait to see him don the Al-Ittihad No.9 shirt next season, as we face an exciting challenge to defend our title, compete in Asia and play at a global level such as the FIFA Club World Cup.”

Despite an injury-affected season, which saw him withdraw from France's 2022 World Cup squad, Benzema still managed to score 31 goals in 43 games in all competitions, while also providing six assists. Benzema was an integral part of the successful 2021-22 campaign, scoring 27 goals in La Liga and 15 in the Champions League as Real Madrid won the prestigious double.

Benzema is Real Madrid's second-highest goalscorer in history behind Ronaldo. The club held an event at the training ground on Tuesday to pay tribute to the Frenchman, where he officially said goodbye.

Source SGGPO

Source link