Karim Benzema Seals Saudi Transfer to Al-Ittihad the current Saudi Arabian champion with his contract being reported to be worth more than €100m (£86m) per season.
Speaking in a club statement “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.”
Benzema began his career with hometown club Olympique Lyonnais in 2005, contributing to three Ligue 1 title wins. In 2008, he was named the league’s Player of the Year and in the Team of the Year having finished as the league’s top goalscorer and winning his fourth league title and first Coupe de France. In 2009, Benzema was the subject of a then-French record football transfer when he joined Real Madrid in a deal worth €35 million. After struggling to establish himself in his debut season, he eventually achieved a consistent goal-scoring rate with the club, notably being part of a highly rated trio alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale dubbed BBC who were integral to four Champions League wins from 2014 to 2018.
In 14 seasons with Real Madrid, Benzema won 4 LaLiga trophies, 5 Champions League titles, 5 Club World Cups, 4 European Super Cups, 3 Copas del Rey, 4 Spanish Super Cups and scored more than 350 goals.