Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad has tonight announced the signing of French forward Karim Benzema, with the 35-year-old signing a contract which runs until 2026.
The former French international has left Real Madrid after 14 years in the Spanish capital, during which he lifted the Champions League five times and won four La Liga titles. His 353 goals place him second in the club’s all-time scoring charts, behind Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Ballon d’Or winner has opted to accept the lucrative offer from the Gulf state, joining one of the four teams that recently came under the control of the country’s Public Investment Fund. At the Jeddah-based club, the striker will be managed by former Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Benzema’s arrival, along with that of former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo at the start of the year, is part of an offensive to bring in ten high-profile players to the domestic league, as the country also looks to host the World Cup in 2030.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
