Karim Benzema has shocked the football world by ending his 13-year association with Real Madrid to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
The former France international is one of the best players in the world and won the Ballon d'Or in 2022 by leading Los Blancos to a historic 14th Champions League success.
However, the 35-year-old's immediate future now lies in the Middle East, where he has accepted an eye-watering offer of €100m a year with other bonuses thrown in on top. He'll also expect to square off against former colleague Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Al-Nassr side came up short in the Saudi Pro League title race.
Here's what we know about when Benzema could adorn the yellow and black of Al-Ittihad for the first time.
When can Karim Benzema make his Al-Ittihad debut?
The 2022/23 Saudi Pro League has just come to an end. Al-Ittihad finished the campaign at the top of the table, five points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr.
That means fans will have to wait until the next league season kicks off before they see Benzema in official league action. The 2023/24 Saudi Pro League has a start date of 11 August 2023, when Al-Ittihad will look to win a tenth title.
While details are a little scarce at this point, there will undoubtedly be dates during pre-season where Benzema will be presented to fans in Jeddah at King Abdullah Sports City.
Al-Ittihad have also earned AFC Champions League qualification, another competition Benzema will debut in. The first matchday of the group stage in 2023/24 will take place on 18-20 September.
When is Karim Benzema's last game for Real Madrid?
Spain's top flight season is yet to finish, giving Benzema one final chance to say goodbye to Real fans before he jets over to the Middle East.
Los Blancos face Athletic Club on Sunday, where Benzema will be looking to score the final goals in the Spanish capital in front of what will be an adoring but upset crowd at the Bernabeu.
Real still need to wrap up second place in La Liga, with city rivals Atletico Madrid breathing down their necks only a point behind in third.
Benzema has scored 18 goals in Spain's top flight and 353 in total in Real's colours. His best haul came in 2021/22 when he netted 44 times in all competitions and he followed that up with 30, all the while struggling with injury niggles.
READ MORE ON KARIM BENZEMA'S EXIT FROM REAL MADRID
This article was originally published on 90min as When Karim Benzema could make his Al-Ittihad debut.
