In a resounding move that shook local and international sporting circles, the board of directors of Al-Hilal Club, chaired by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad, officially announced the completion of the signing of the world-renowned French star Karim Benzema, who joins the "Leader" squad in a high-profile transfer. This announcement was accompanied by expressions of deep gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, the club's honorary member, who covered the entire cost of the deal, thus reaffirming his pivotal role in supporting the Blue Wave's journey.

This deal will bolster Al-Hilal's first football team during the winter transfer window for the 2025/2026 season. The club's board clarified that Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal's support extended beyond this single transfer, encompassing the full cost of seven other deals the club finalized during this crucial period. Al-Hilal's management expressed their profound gratitude for this generous gesture, describing it as a continuation of His Highness's longstanding and historic support for the club, which has directly contributed to Al-Hilal's continued leadership and excellence at both the local and continental levels.

This signing holds immense strategic importance, not only for Al-Hilal but for the Saudi Professional League as a whole, as the league continues to attract some of the world's top football stars, further solidifying its position among the strongest leagues globally. Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or winner and former Real Madrid legend, represents a tremendous boost to Al-Hilal's attack, given his vast experience and prolific goal-scoring ability, which will undoubtedly be a major incentive for the team to compete for titles.

For its part, the board of directors affirmed that this continued and impactful support from the club's golden member serves as a significant incentive for the entire club to exert greater efforts across all areas, aiming to bring joy to Al-Hilal's vast fan base and fulfill their aspirations of winning more championships. The fans view this signing with great optimism, especially given the fierce challenges and competitions the team faces both domestically and in Asia, where Benzema is expected to make a game-changer in the attack.

The club concluded its statement by clarifying the details of the contract, confirming that Al-Hilal officials finalized the signing of the French striker for a season and a half, after agreeing on all financial and contractual details. This move underscores Al-Hilal's determination to move forward with its project of sporting dominance, relying on the support of its loyal members and the sound planning of its management for the team's future.

In a major move in the transfer market, the management of Al-Hilal Club, headed by His Highness Prince Nawaf bin Saad, officially announced the completion of the signing of the world-renowned French star Karim Benzema. Under this contract, the player will join the ranks of Al-Hilal's first football team. It was agreed that the player will represent the "Leader" for a year and a half, in a free transfer deal that represents a significant addition to the Saudi League.

Details of Benzema's transfer deal to Al-Hilal

This decisive move to sign the Ballon d'Or winner was based on astute technical vision and a direct decision by the team's manager, Simone Inzaghi, who urged the club's management to secure the services of the experienced French striker. Inzaghi aims to bolster the team's attack with world-class experience capable of making a difference in upcoming domestic and continental competitions, especially given the fierce competition this season.

A legendary career strengthens the leader's ranks

Karim Benzema is not just a conventional striker; he is one of the greatest football legends of the last decade. His impressive record makes him a historic asset to Al-Hilal, having contributed to 34 titles across various clubs. His most notable achievements are his illustrious career with Real Madrid, where he won the UEFA Champions League five times, the FIFA Club World Cup five times, and La Liga four times.

Benzema's successes weren't limited to Spanish football; he also had a distinguished career at Lyon, winning the French league title four times. Internationally, he earned 97 caps for the French national team, including a UEFA Nations League title and a World Cup appearance, giving him extensive international experience that will undoubtedly benefit his teammates in Les Bleus.

Artistic value and global standing

The significance of this deal lies in the immense technical value brought by the Ballon d'Or winner (recognized as the world's best player) and UEFA Men's Player of the Year. Benzema is distinguished by his exceptional ability to score, create plays, and link up play, in addition to having won the top scorer title in numerous major international tournaments. The arrival of a player of this caliber at Al-Hilal confirms the club's status as an attractive destination for the world's best players and reinforces the ambitions of Al-Hilal fans to continue winning titles and dominating the podium.

In a move that has shaken Saudi and international football circles, French star Karim Benzema has opened a new and exciting chapter in his professional career in Saudi Arabia, following his official transfer from Al-Ittihad to their arch-rivals Al-Hilal during the current winter transfer window. This deal is considered one of the most significant shifts in the history of the Saudi Professional League, given the player's technical ability and popularity.

A new era in the Saudi League

Benzema's move to Al-Ittihad in the summer of 2023 from Real Madrid was more than just a routine transfer; it was a pivotal event that solidified the Saudi Pro League's position as a global destination for top football stars. The French star, winner of the 2022 Ballon d'Or and one of the greatest strikers in European football history, contributed to raising the league's competitiveness. Now, with his transfer to Al-Hilal, this sporting movement confirms the maturity of the Saudi sports project and the ability of clubs to make major domestic deals that reshape the balance of power.

Inzaghi's desire seals the major deal

Al-Hilal's signing of the "government" came as a result of a keen technical vision and a direct request from the team's Italian coach, Simone Inzaghi. Inzaghi had emphasized to the club's management the necessity of strengthening the attacking line with a world-class striker during the winter transfer window, especially given the increasing pressure of domestic and continental competitions.

The Italian coach sees Benzema as the missing piece the team needs. He is the striker capable of making a difference in big and decisive matches thanks to his extensive experience in the Champions League and international tournaments, in addition to his superior ability to link the lines and create play, and his leadership personality that is perfectly in line with Al-Hilal’s project seeking absolute dominance locally and in Asia.

A remarkable career with Al-Ittihad... numbers and championships

Despite its relatively short duration, Karim Benzema's time with Al-Ittihad was filled with achievements and remarkable statistics. He delivered outstanding performances and played a direct role in leading the club to numerous titles, leaving behind a legacy of impressive statistics that will be difficult to replicate.

Karim Benzema's overall statistics with Al-Ittihad:

• Number of matches: 83 official matches.
• Number of minutes played: 7122 minutes.
• Goal contributions: 71 contributions.
• Goals scored: 54 goals.
• Assists: 17 passes.
• Yellow cards: only 4 cards (reflecting his high level of discipline).

The French star's contributions were not limited to individual records; he also crowned his efforts with team titles, leading the club to achieve:

• Roshan Saudi Professional League (2024-2025 season).
• King's Cup (2024-2025 season).

The impact of the deal on the balance of competition

The transfer of a player of Karim Benzema's caliber from Al-Ittihad to Al-Hilal transcends a mere player transfer; it's a clear declaration of Al-Hilal's intentions to dominate championships. This significant shift in the Saudi Professional League's competitive landscape comes at a time when the battle for the top spot is intensifying, placing added pressure on the other contenders.

With Benzema joining the leader's squad, Al-Hilal sends a strong message locally and continentally, that ambitions have no limits, and that the club continues to attract the best elements in the world to ensure continued dominance of titles and to write a new history for Saudi football.