Karim Benzema has develop into the most recent soccer star to maneuver to Saudi Arabia after signing with the nationwide champion Al-Ittihad on Tuesday.
Benzema, who left Real Madrid after 14 years and 648 video games, is about to play in opposition to his former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in January.
Al-Ittihad posted a video on Twitter of Benzema signing a contract till 2026, though the membership didn’t disclose any monetary particulars.
“I am excited to see you in Jeddah,” the French striker stated within the video.
Decorated Madrid stint
The 35-year-old Benzema had been with Madrid since 2009 and received a membership document 25 titles, together with 5 Champions League trophies. His final season with Madrid noticed him captain the group to victory within the Copa del Rey last however Madrid completed second to Barcelona within the Spanish league and misplaced within the semifinals of the Champions League.
He bid farewell to the followers after scoring in his last Madrid sport on Sunday, a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao.
Al-Ittihad, from the port metropolis of Jeddah, received its first Saudi league title since 2009 final month after overhauling Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr from the capital metropolis of Riyadh, which had led for a lot of the season.
Benzema will probably be by far the best-known participant in a squad which relied closely this season on Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, the league’s high scorer. The group is coached by Nuno Espirito Santo, who beforehand coached Wolverhampton and Tottenham within the English Premier League.