Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad to sign Benzema on two-year deal – Saudi state media

FILE PHOTO: Karim Benzema.
| Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad has reached an agreement with French striker Karim Benzema to sign him on a two-year deal, Saudi state-run Al Ekhbariya television station reported on Sunday.

Benzema is set to join Al Ittihad as a free agent after Real Madrid said earlier in the day that the 35-year-old would leave the LaLiga club after 14 trophy-laden years.

Al Ekhbariya said Al Ittihad’s chairman and vice chairman were in Madrid to hammer out a “record deal” with Benzema.

The Frenchman is the second-highest goal-scorer (353) for Madrid in all competitions, only behind Cristiano Ronaldo (450).

He has secured a total of 25 titles with Real, including five UEFA Champion Trophy and four league titles. Benzema was honoured with the prestigious Ballon d’Or award in 2022 after playing a crucial role in Madrid’s success in the La Liga, UEFA Champions League and the Super Cup in the 2021/22 season, scoring 44 goals.

In the 2022-23 season, Benzema managed 18 goals and three assists from 23 appearances in the LaLiga as Madrid finished second in the league behind Barcelona. He also netted four times in 10 Champions League matches before Madrid fell short in the semifinals against Manchester City.