Karim Benzema wants to leave a “lasting legacy” and deliver trophies at new club Al Ittihad, with the striker saying his Muslim faith was a significant factor in his decision to move to Saudi Arabia.
The Frenchman, the current Ballon d’Or holder, was confirmed on Tuesday as the Saudi Pro League champions’ latest addition. Benzema, 35, had spent 14 years at Real Madrid and departed on Sunday as their second-highest goalscorer of all-time.
He signed an initial three-year contract with Ittihad. In an interview with the club released on Thursday, Benzema said: “I hope for my new club, what I’ll be able to bring is my football and most importantly to be able to win titles.
It’s a new chapter for me and I would like to further advance the club. “It’s a club with a lot of passion. I would like the fans to find themselves in me.