Karim Benzema joins Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid

By Emre Asikci​​​​​​​

ISTANBUL (AA) - Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad confirmed Tuesday that it signed French star Karim Benzema to a three-year contract.

"I am excited to see you in Jeddah," Benzema said in a video on Twitter.

"Benzema is here, A new tiger will roar, Welcome to Ittihad!" Al-Ittihad tweeted.

Benzema said goodbye to Real Madrid at a farewell ceremony at the Whites' sports facility Tuesday.

"This is the best club in the world. I think that the time has come for me to move on,” he said.

The French striker joined Real Madrid in 2009 after leaving Olympique Lyon, where he won four French Ligue 1 titles.

He helped Real Madrid win five UEFA Champions League titles, five FIFA Club World Cups, four Spanish La Liga titles, four UEFA Super Cups, four Spanish Super Cups and three Spanish Cups during his 14-year stint at the La Liga club.

The 35-year-old netted 354 goals in 648 appearances and is the Spanish club's second all-time scorer.

Benzema also won the 2022 men's Ballon d'Or, a prestigious award, after a scintillating 2021-22 season for club and country.