The Saudi Pro League (SPL) team, Al-Ittihad have confirmed the joining of the French football player, Karim Benzema as a free agent.
Benzema moved to Saudi Arabia after a legendary 14-year stint with the iconic LaLiga team, Real Madrid. The current Ballon d’Or holder’s tenure with Al-Ittihad is valid till the conclusion of the 2025-26 season and the striker is set to earn around €200 million per year, as per reports.
The 35-year-old played his last game for Los Blancos on Sunday, June 4, which was a stalemate against Athletic Club and even appeared on the scoresheet with a goal in the 72nd minute.
Al-Ittihad emerged victorious in the 2022-23 season of SPL and were five points superior to Benzema’s former Real Madrid colleague, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr.
W E L C O M E !
— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023
B E N Z E M A 💪💪 pic.twitter.com/Oc9IK4OoDj
Commenting on the announcement, Benzema said, “I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. Al-Ittihad Club has an amazing history, incredibly passionate fans and big ambitions in football to be a force in Asia after winning the league.
“I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe. It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project. Every time I’ve visited Saudi Arabia I’ve always felt such warmth and love from the fans and people. I am looking forward to joining my new teammates and, together with them, help take this amazing club and the game in Saudi Arabia to new levels.”
Al-Ittihad President Anmar Bin Abdullah Alhailae, said, “To sign the current Ballon d’Or holder from Real Madrid is another historic milestone for this special club. Karim is global football icon, he’s box office and very much at the top of his powers.
“He joins a club and hugely competitive league — in a country with big ambitions both on and off the pitch. We know all eyes will be on him and can’t wait to see him in the number 9 shirt of Al-Ittihad Club next season as we face an incredibly exciting challenge to defend our title, compete in Asia and play on the global state of the FIFA Club World Cup.”
Before heading to Saudi Arabia, Benzema had a decorated career at Real Madrid with 354 goals for the club in 648 matches while securing 25 titles for Los Blancos – five Champions Leagues, four LaLiga titles, four Spanish Supercopas, three Copas del Rey, four UEFA Super Cups and five FIFA Club World Cups.
In the most recently concluded season, Benzema netted 31 goals in 43 fixtures along with providing six assists.
In the team’s successful 2021/22 season, where the club won LaLiga and Champions League both, Benzema was crucial in the side’s victory with a total of 42 goals in both competitions combined.