Real Madrid: the transfer of Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad before term

confirmed club

The first version of this article appeared at 11:45 a.m. and was updated after the correction post.

On Sunday, Karim Benzema announced his departure from Real Madrid after 14 years, two days later his new employer was announced. After it was first reported by the ‘AFP’ news agency, Saudi club Al-Ittihad officially confirmed the signing of the 35-year-old world (Site notre bureau spécialisé)er in the evening. It’s a three-year contract.

Benzema is here
A new tiger will roar
Welcome to Ittihad!#Benzema2Ittihad#here2inspireKSA pic.twitter.com/I3GEm90fRB

— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023

According to the latest media reports, his new club’s total salary is set to reach €200m per year. In the Gulf state, the Frenchman will meet his ex-teammate Cristiano Ronaldo, who now plays at Al-Nassr FC. The striker leaves Real after 14 years, 648 competitive games with 354 goals and a total of 25 titles. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner will be officially seen at a ceremony on Tuesday at the ‘Royal’ training center in Valdebebas, northeast of Madrid.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti had already said on Sunday that of course he could « not be happy » to lose one of the best players in the world. « But we have to respect his decision », which was made « at the last second », said the 63-year-old. « Yesterday he trained as normal and this morning he came to announce the decision. We have this. I told him that I respect his decision and that I thank him for everything he has done for the club and also for me in the four years I have had the privilege of seeing him. »

Nonetheless, it was ‘surprising to everyone’, stressed Ancelotti, who is now hoping for a suitable replacement. « We have time to think about what we need to do and the team will be competitive next season. » The candidates are Kai Havertz and Harry Kane. The Real manager, who stressed that he will remain in charge at 100%, was confident about the personal details of Nacho Fernández and Dani Ceballos. The duo are still « in the decision-making phase », but: « From the signals that I see, I believe that the two will stay. »

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