Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema has signed a three-year deal with Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid.
French striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies – including five Champions Leagues and four La Ligas – in 14 years with Madrid but the club agreed to let him go a year before his contract officially expires.
He scored 354 goals for Real, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, who hit 450 Real goals, plays for another Saudi club, Al-Nassr.
“It’s a good league and there are many good players,” said Benzema. “Cristiano Ronaldo is already there, a friend which shows Saudi Arabia is starting to further progress its level. I am here to win, like 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,” Benzema added.
