Karim Benzema Completes Shock Transfer to Al-Hilal After Al-Ittihad Contract Termination
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Meta Description: French football star Karim Benzema has officially moved to Al-Hilal Saudi Club after his contract with Al-Ittihad was terminated. Read the full story.
Karim Benzema’s brief stint with Al-Ittihad Saudi Club has come to an abrupt end, with the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner now officially joining rivals Al-Hilal. The move, finalized Monday night, marks a significant shift in the landscape of Saudi Professional League football.
Al-Ittihad Confirms Benzema Departure
Al-Ittihad announced the termination of its contractual relationship with the French forward in an official statement released on its platforms. “It has been decided to terminate the contractual relationship between the club and first-team football player Karim Benzema,” the statement read. This decision follows reports of disagreements over contract renewal terms.
Al-Hilal Welcomes Football Icon
Al-Hilal wasted no time in securing Benzema’s services, officially settling the deal and welcoming the star player to the club. On its official “X” (formerly Twitter) account, Al-Hilal proclaimed, “Karim is in the stronghold of ‘Al-Zaeem.’” A subsequent post added, “I am here to become part of this glory.”
Recent Absence and Contract Disputes
The best player in the world for the year 2022 missed Al-Ittihad’s last two matches, against Al-Fateh (2-2) and Al-Najma (1-0) on Sunday, signaling a breakdown in negotiations regarding a contract extension. These absences coincided with a diminishing outlook for Al-Ittihad’s title defense.
Immediate Integration into Al-Hilal Squad
Benzema was reportedly present at Al Hilal headquarters during their match against Al Ahly in the twentieth round of the Saudi League at the Kingdom Arena, anticipating the official announcement. He is expected to join the team’s training sessions starting Tuesday.
Notably, both Al-Hilal Club and Al-Ittihad are owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, highlighting the significant financial backing driving the growth of the Saudi Professional League. This shared ownership adds another layer of intrigue to the high-profile transfer.
From Real Madrid to Saudi Arabia
Benzema joined Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 following a distinguished 14-season career with Spanish giants Real Madrid. During his time in Madrid, he secured five Champions League titles and played a pivotal role in leading the club to numerous victories. Last season, he guided Al-Ittihad to the Saudi League title, but his recent departure casts doubt on the team’s ability to repeat that success. Despite being 38 years old, Benzema remains a globally recognized footballing talent, and his move to Al-Hilal is expected to further elevate the profile of the Saudi Professional League.
