France striker, Karim Benzema, has joined Saudi Arabia champions Al Ittihad on a three-year deal after leaving Real Madrid.

The 35-year-old French forward announced his departure from the Spanish club last weekend, bringing a 14-year spell to an end during which he won LaLiga on four occasions and the Champions League five times.

Al Ittihad are managed by former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo and finished five points ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr – who came second – last season.

Al Ittihad, on Tuesday, posted a video on Twitter of Benzema signing a contract until 2026, although the club did not disclose any financial details.

Benzema, who will wear the No 9 shirt, said: “I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country.

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“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. I am looking forward to joining my new team-mates and, together with them, help take this amazing club and the game in Saudi Arabia to new levels.”

Benzema had been with Madrid since 2009 and won a club-record 25 titles.

His last season with Madrid saw him captain the team to victory in the Copa del Rey final but they finished second to Barcelona in LaLiga and lost in the semi-finals of the Champions League to Manchester City.

He bid farewell to the fans after scoring in his final Madrid game on Sunday, a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao.

Al Ittihad, from the port city of Jeddah, won their first Saudi league title since 2009 last month after overhauling Ronaldo’s Al Nassr from the capital city of Riyadh, who had led for much of the season.

Benzema will be by far the best-known player in a squad that relied heavily this season on Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah, the league’s top scorer.

The Star