Karim Benzema: Real Madrid striker to leave Los Blancos after 14 years

French forward Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid at the end of this season when his contract expires, the Spanish giants announced on Sunday.

"Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player at our club," Real said in a statement published hours before their final league match of the season.

The football club extended their gratitude to the 35-year-old saying, ‘Real Madrid want to show their gratitude and all their love to one of our greatest legends.’ 

The exit announcement comes amid speculations over Benzema’s move to Saudi club Al-Ittihad. He will reportedly become the new star of the Saudi Pro League, where Cristiano Ronaldo already plays.

The striker joined the Bernabeu in 2009, going on to become the club’s second-highest goalscorer ever. He lifted the La Liga four times while Real won the Champions League on five occasion