Real Madrid extends Karim Benzema’s contract until 2023

MADRID: Real Madrid has confirmed that Veteran French striker Karim Benzema has signed a new deal that will keep him at the La Liga club until 2023.

The forward’s contract was due to expire next summer, but after losing club captain Sergio Ramos to PSG, the club have moved to ensure the same does not happen to Benzema. A release clause of €1bn has been inserted into the deal for the 33-year-old.

After a signing ceremony where a best of Benzema video was played the striker posed for a photograph with Real president Florentino Perez with the pair holding up a shirt with Benzema’s name and the number 2023 on it.

“The story continues for me at the greatest club in the world,” Benzema said, adding, “What an honour to be here today, thank you for trusting me over the years.” The club thanked Benzema for his long and brilliant service to them

“The French striker has won everything possible in a Madrid shirt with a massive 19 titles: four Champions Leagues, four Club World Cups, three European Super Cups, three Liga, two Spanish Cups and three Spanish Super Cups,” the club said.

After joining in 2009, Benzema has gone on to make 560 appearances in all competitions for Real and is the club’s fifth all-time leading goalscorer with 281. He has also won four Champions League titles and three La Liga titles during his time at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Benzema was long in the shadow of Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos, but since the Portuguese left for Juventus three years ago the French international has thrived. With Ramos also out of the picture since his move to Paris Saint-Germain, Benzema is now the club’s senior star player.