Real Madrid defender Nacho is set to leave the Spanish capital after spending nearly his entire football career with the club.
Fresh off his sixth UEFA Champions League victory and his first as club captain, the 34-year-old reportedly informed the club months ago that he would depart at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Nacho is in advanced talks with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, who acquired his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema a year ago.
If the deal goes through, Nacho would become the third notable Real Madrid player to move to the oil-rich country in the past year, following Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Reports indicate that Nacho is being offered a two-year deal worth €40 million ($43 million). He has turned down proposals from other European clubs as he wishes to remain loyal to Real Madrid.
Nacho spends entire career at Real Madrid
Born and raised in Madrid, Nacho joined the club's youth system at 11 in 2001.
Rising through the ranks of the club academy, he made his first-team debut in 2011 during an away La Liga fixture against Valencia, playing the entire match in the 6-3 victory.
During the 2023-24 season, Nacho was the longest-tenured player at the club, winning 26 trophies throughout his career.
This achievement makes him the joint most decorated player in the club's history, alongside Luka Modric.
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