Khaberni - The president of the Saudi Al-Ittihad Club, Fahd Sindi, revealed the circumstances behind the departure of the French player Karim Benzema from the team during the last week of the 2026 winter transfer period.
Karim Benzema moved from Al-Ittihad Jeddah to Al-Hilal in a sensational deal as his contract was to expire at the end of the current season.
Al-Ittihad Jeddah did not disclose the details of the deal, only announcing via an official statement that the contract had been terminated amicably.
Fahd Sindi said in an interview on the official Al-Ittihad channel on "YouTube": "We did not plan for Karim Benzema's departure from Al-Ittihad."
He added: "The plan for the winter period was to keep Benzema, along with signing a striker born (under 21 years old) in addition to a Saudi or foreign defender for the Asian tournament, and those were the gaps in the team."
He continued, "But after receiving data confirming the player's lack of desire to continue, his departure became inevitable, which affected the club's plans for the winter transfer period."
He went on: "There are circumstances that occurred, making us certain that Benzema was outside the club's plans, and regardless of the 6 months remaining on his contract, there was no desire on the player's part to continue with the club, so he had to leave."
Fahd Sindi confirmed: "The right decision concerning Benzema was made, and Al-Ittihad profited financially from his departure, and what was rumored about his leaving affecting our financial situation is not true, but I can't disclose these matters because they are private to the club."
The French newspaper "L'Equipe" had reported that Benzema was upset by the renewal offer presented by the Al-Ittihad management, considering it "insulting" as it involved not receiving any money, only benefiting from image rights.
Fahd Sindi also spoke about the departure of another French player, N'Golo Kante, to Fenerbahçe Turkish, saying: “We did not want N'Golo Kante to leave, but the departure of Karim Benzema imposed new circumstances."
The president of Al-Ittihad Jeddah concluded saying: “After Benzema's departure, Mitai rose to the list of the eight foreign players, necessitating the departure of another player to make a contract with a striker, and Kante was the closest option at that time."
