Karim Benzema officially joins Saudi club Al-Ittihad

• Karim Benzema has officially joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad on a free transfer following the expiration of his Real Madrid contract
• Benzema has signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year and will pocket a staggering €200 million (£172m/$213m) per season

Karim Benzema has officially joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad on a free transfer following the expiration of his Real Madrid contract.

According to reports, Benzema has signed a two-year contract with an option for a further year. The France international is set to pocket a staggering €200 million (£172m/$213m) per season playing for the defending Saudi champions.

Karim Benzema joins Al-Ittihad. Photo/ Flipboard.

Speaking on a video posted on Al-Ittihad’s social media pages, Benzema said he was excited to be in Jeddah while praising the Saudi Pro League.

“I am excited to see you in Jeddah. Al-Ittihad is a new challenge for me. It’s a good league and there are many good players. Cristiano Ronaldo is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead and I am here to win as I did in Europe. 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.” Karim Benzema said, as per Eurosport.

Karim Benzema will be unveiled as Al-Ittihad player on Wednesday in front of a capacity crowd in Jeddah.

Benzema has long been linked with a big-money move to the Middle East. For the majority of the 2022-23 season, the French forward had been expected to extend his Real Madrid contract since he was one of their top players. However, he opted to leave and said farewell to Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Karim Benzema was a free agent after leaving Real Madrid on a free transfer. He joins former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League. Ronaldo plays for Al Nassr and the two will be battling it out for the league title next season.

Benzema leaves Real Madrid after fourteen years. During his time with the Los Blancos, the Frenchman won 25 major trophies and received numerous individual awards for his outstanding performances over the years.

Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid after 14 years. Photo/ Business Recorder.

Karim Benzema, who is the reigning Ballon d’or winner, is expected to be joined in Saudi Pro League by several top players this summer. According to reports, N’Golo Kante, Wilfred Zaha and Lionel Messi could be on the move to the Middle East anytime.

Whereas Lionel Messi is still on the radar of FC Barcelona and Inter Miami, N’Golo Kante will join Al-Ittihad in the coming days. Kante played just nine times for Chelsea during the 2022-23 season due to injuries. He picked a hamstring injury in October then had a groin problem in May, which ended his season.

Wilfred Zaha has already received an offer from Al Nassr. However, he is still weighing his options as Atletico Madrid and three other Champions League clubs have also showed interest in him.