Karim Benzema has joined Saudi Arabian champions Al-Ittihad on a free transfer following the expiration of his Real Madrid contract.
A lucrative move to the Middle East has long been rumoured for Benzema, who bid Real Madrid farewell on Tuesday.
However, he has now been identified as a member of Al-Ittihad. The France international is expected to earn a stunning €200 million (£172 million/$213 million) each season after agreeing to a two-year deal with an additional year’s option.
Also, Benzema’s Madrid contract, which expires this summer, had been anticipated to be extended for the majority of the season.
“I am excited to see you in Jeddah,” Benzema said in a video posted on Al-Ittihad’s social media channels.
“Al-Ittihad is a new challenge for me. It’s a good league and there are many good players.
“Although Cristiano Ronaldo is already here, he is a friend who shows that Saudi Arabia is starting to get ahead and I am here to win as I did in Europe.”
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However, in the end he opted to follow former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia, with the pair poised to battle it out for the title next season.
