Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid, set to join Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in ‘record deal’
- La Liga giants confirm the Ballon d’Or winner will leave Madrid as a free agent after 14 trophy-laden years
- Saudi Arabia state-run media reports Al Ittihad has reached agreement with Benzema on a two-year contract
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid as a free agent in the close season after 14 trophy-laden years, the La Liga club said on Sunday, with the striker set to move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad.
Saudi Arabia’s state-run Al Ekhbariya television station reported that Al Ittihad had reached an agreement with Benzema on a two-year contract, with club officials in Madrid to hammer out a “record deal” with the striker.
The 35-year-old Frenchman had looked set to stay at the Spanish club for one more year after a 2022-23 season in which he struggled with injuries and missed out on France’s World Cup campaign in Qatar because of another injury.
However, an offer estimated by media to be worth more than €100 million (US$107.05 million) from Saudi Arabia reportedly made him reconsider his future.
The Frenchman decided to void the one-year extension clause he had in his contract, with Real saying he had “earned the right to decide his future”.
“Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close,” the club said in a statement.
