<a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/karim-benzema/" target="_blank">Karim Benzema</a> is expected to be confirmed in the coming days as the latest star to move to Saudi Arabia’s top football league. The French forward, whose <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/05/karim-benzemas-real-madrid-exit-a-surprise-says-carlo-ancelotti/" target="_blank">departure from Real Madrid was announced</a> by the Spanish club on Sunday, has <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/04/karim-benzema-leaves-real-madrid-to-end-brilliant-and-unforgettable-period/" target="_blank">accepted a lucrative offer</a> to join Al Ittihad, the newly crowned Saudi Pro League champions. Representatives from the kingdom were in Madrid from Sunday to move forward with the deal, which is understood to be a two-year contract with the option of another season. Benzema, who on Sunday scored in his final appearance for Madrid – the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner converted a penalty in the 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao - will join in Saudi former Madrid teammate <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/cristiano-ronaldo/" target="_blank">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>. The Portugal captain <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/gulf-news/saudi-arabia/2022/12/30/cristiano-ronaldo-signs-historic-deal-with-saudi-football-club/" target="_blank">signed for Al Nassr in December</a> and narrowly <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/05/28/al-ittihad-win-saudi-league-as-ronaldo-ends-season-at-al-nassr-without-silverware/" target="_blank">missed out on the top-flight title</a> in his first season, as Ittihad sealed the trophy with one round to spare. Benzema looks poised to <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/05/messi-benzema-and-modric-the-top-10-saudi-pro-league-targets-in-pictures/" target="_blank">provide the spark for a summer of major investment</a> in Saudi football, with a number of prominent footballers anticipated to land in the Pro League. <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/tags/lionel-messi/" target="_blank">Lionel Messi</a>, whose departure from Paris Saint-Germain was confirmed on Saturday, had <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/05/04/lionel-messi-al-hilal-barcelona-inter-miami/" target="_blank">been anticipated to make the move</a> to 18-time Saudi champions Al Hilal. However, Barcelona are reportedly attempting to re-sign their former forward, who <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/fifa-world-cup-2022/2022/12/18/world-cup-argentina-the-new-champions-after-penalty-shootout-win-against-france/" target="_blank">in December captained Argentina to World Cup</a> success. Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Angel Di Maria, N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are among other names linked with Saudi this summer. Benzema moved to Madrid from Lyon in 2009 and went on to become the second-highest goalscorer in the club’s history, with 354 goals in 648 appearances. He is second only to Ronaldo. During his 14 years at the Bernabeu, Benzema won 25 trophies, including four La Liga titles, five Champions League crowns, five Fifa Club World Cup trophies and the Copa del Rey three times. Ittihad, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/06/01/nuno-praises-al-ittihad-players-on-title-win-as-rumours-swirl-of-benzema-switch-to-saudi/" target="_blank">last month sealed a ninth Saudi league title</a> - and first in 14 years. The Jeddah club, managed by former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, will compete in the <a href="https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2023/02/15/saudi-arabia-honoured-and-extremely-excited-to-host-2023-fifa-club-world-cup/" target="_blank">2023 Club World Cup</a> in December. The tournament will be staged in the kingdom.