Al-Ittihad has verified that Karim Benzema’s transfer has been finalized.

The striker has agreed to a three-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s national team and will depart Real Madrid in the summer.

After 14 years and after nullifying his 12-month extension, Benzema was given permission to leave the Bernabeu.

Benzema is here 🤩✍️
A new tiger will roar 🐅
Welcome to Ittihad!#Benzema2Ittihad#here2inspireKSA pic.twitter.com/I3GEm90fRB

— Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) June 6, 2023

The 35-year-old promised he will never forget Real earlier on Tuesday.

During his stint with the La Liga team, the France international scored 354 goals in 648 matches and collected a club-record 25 championships.

“I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference.

“There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life.

“I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents.

“When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that.

“To forget Real Madrid because is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here.

“ For me, it’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.

M E R C I K A R I M 🙏👑
👉 https://t.co/fB8z5jbbc0@adidasfootball | @Benzema | #GraciasKarim pic.twitter.com/m5USM7vIfG

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) June 6, 2023

He joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas.