Global Courant
“I’m excited to experience a new football league,” Benzema said after signing for the club for an undisclosed fee.
Former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has signed a three-year deal with Saudi football club Al Ittihad, according to the club.
The announcement on Tuesday comes a day after the Gulf Kingdom unveiled plans to privatize its biggest football clubs in a bid to boost revenues and attract big players.
Without disclosing details of Benzema’s deal or salary, the club said in a statement that Benzema had undergone a medical examination and completed the signing in Madrid on Monday.
“I am excited to experience a new football league in another country,” Benzema said in the club’s statement.
“I have been lucky enough to achieve great things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe. It now feels that the time is right for a new challenge and project,” said the Ballon d’Or holder.
Benzema is here
A new tiger will roar
Welcome to Ittihad!#Benzema2Ittihad#here2inspireKSA pic.twitter.com/I3GEm90fRB
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023
The 35-year-old Frenchman completed the move from the Spanish league to the Saudi Pro League two days after playing his last game for Real Madrid.
He joins his former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League after the five-time World Player of the Year moved to Al Nassr from Manchester United after last year’s World Cup.
“Al Ittihad has a great history, incredibly passionate fans and big ambitions in football to be a force in Asia after winning the league,” said the former France international referring to his new club’s ninth Saudi league title.
Karim Benzema joins former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League (handout via Al Ittihad)
‘Historical Milestone’
Al Ittihad president Anmar Bin Abdullah Alhailae, who attended the signing in Madrid, said “all eyes will be on Karim” when he dons the number nine shirt and makes his Saudi League debut next season.
“Signing the current Ballon d’Or holder from Real Madrid is (an) historic milestone for this special club,” said Alhailae.
Benzema came over from Ligue 1 club Lyon in 2009.
During his illustrious 14-year career with the club, Benzema won five Champions Leagues, four LaLiga titles and three Copas del Rey.
He made 648 appearances and is second on Real’s all-time goalscoring list with 354. Only Ronaldo has more.
Al Ittihad called Benzema’s arrival “the most impactful transfer in the club’s history” as it competes with Riyadh-based clubs Al Hilal and Al Nassr in their bid to sign football’s biggest names.
On Monday, the kingdom announced plans to privatize its top football clubs, including Al Ittihad, allowing companies and development agencies to invest and take over.
The move is aimed at increasing Saudi Pro League revenue to 1.8 billion riyals ($480 million) per year by 2030.
