Karim Benzema switches Saudi club and signs for Al-Hilal until 2027 | OneFootball

Karim Benzema is set to leave Al-Ittihad for rivals Al-Hilal on deadline day after a contract-extension stand-off. According to L'Équipe, the 38-year-old will sign an 18-month deal running to June 2027 with the Saudi Pro League leaders.

The former Lyon and Real Madrid striker arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2023. He departs after two and a half seasons and 83 appearances, having scored 54 goals and supplied 17 assists, and won the league and the Cup last term.

At Al-Hilal he links up with Théo Hernandez, recent African champion Kalidou Koulibaly, former Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez and ex-Bordeaux winger Malcom. Mainstays Yassine Bounou, Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are also in place, while teenager Kader Meïté has just joined from Rennes.

His switch has unlocked N’Golo Kanté’s move to Fenerbahçe. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41 in two days, had stepped back from Al-Nassr and missed Monday’s 1-0 win over Al Riyadh. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner believes his side’s recruitment falls short of his ambitions and did not look kindly on another major signing for Al-Hilal.

Clubs in Türkiye, including Fenerbahçe and Besiktas, had explored a deal for Benzema this winter. He considered Al-Ittihad’s renewal offer insulting, with his contract there expiring in June, yet remains tied to the league by an image-rights agreement to 2030. At Al-Hilal he will mentor young French prospects such as Meïté and Saïmon Bouabre, 19, recruited this winter.

Source: L'Équipe