Srinagar: France and Real Madrid superstar footballer Karim Benzema had signed multi million deal with Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad for three years.
The current Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema became the latest big-name player to head to Saudi Arabia as he joined Al Ittihad as a free agent, the club said on Tuesday, after the French striker’s departure from Real Madrid.
“I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe,” Benzema said.
“It now feels the time is right for a new challenge and project … I am looking forward to joining my new team mates and, together with them, help take this amazing club and the game in Saudi Arabia to new levels.”
Benzema follows his former Real team mate Cristiano Ronaldo to the Gulf country after the Portugal forward signed a 2-1/2 year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($213.78 million) with Al Nassr in December.
Al-Ittihad last month clinched the Saudi Pro League title for the first time since 2009.
Last week, Portuguese forward Ronaldo said he hoped that other big-name players would follow him to the league.
“Benzema’s arrival is the most impactful transfer in the club’s history to date,” Al Ittihad said in a statement.
“It also marks another huge step in the Saudi Pro League’s journey to become one of football’s leading destinations for the world’s very best after its biggest season to date.”
Al Ittihad’s club president Anmar Alhailae hailed the signing of Benzema as a major achievement for the club, saying, “Karim is a 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.”
As per reports Karim Benzema is set to earn net total of staggering €200 million per season with this deal.