Former Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema has signed a contract with Saudi Arabian championship club Al Ittihad, according to AFP. It is reported that the agreement runs until June 2025.
It is noted that the contract of the 35-year-old forward has an option of extension for another year. Benzema will travel to the Middle East immediately after the farewell ceremony with the fans of the Los Blancos, which is scheduled for June 6.
The French forward's departure was announced by Real on June 4, after the last 38th round match of the Spanish championship of the 2022/2023 season with Athletic of Bilbao (1-1). Benzema played in 24 La Liga matches last season, scoring 19 goals and providing three assists. The Frenchman spent a total of 14 seasons with "The Vikings", playing 647 games in which he scored 353 goals and provided 165 assists. The striker is the second goalscorer in the history of the club and also the fifth player by the number of games played for Real Madrid.