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• Al-Ittihad confirm Karim Benzema deal after striker’s Real Madrid farewell

  Karim Benzema has completed his move to Al-Ittihad, the Saudi Arabian club have confirmed.

  The striker is leaving Real Madrid in the summer and has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi champions.

  Benzema was allowed to leave the Bernabeu after 14 years after voiding the 12-month extension he had.

  Earlier on Tuesday, the 35-year-old vowed he will never forget Real.

  The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games and won a club-record 25 trophies during his time with the LaLiga side.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference.

  “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life.

  “I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents.

  “When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here.

  “It’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.”

  Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

  Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas.

  “A period of enormous anticipation began 14 years ago for all madridistas, one of the most impressive in our 121 years of history.”

• Karim Benzema says it is ‘impossible’ to forget Real Madrid as he bids farewell

  Karim Benzema has vowed he will never forget Real Madrid.

  The striker will leave the Bernabeu in the summer when his contract expires after 14 years at the club.

  The France international scored 354 goals in 648 games, won a club-record 25 trophies and is now expected to move to Saudi Arabia to join Al-Ittihad.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it’s impossible,” he told a farewell press conference.

  “It’s difficult to talk. There are so many emotions. I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team-mates. It’s been a good journey in my life.

  “I was lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream thanks to the president, who a long time ago, when I was just 21 years old, went to my house, with my parents.

  “When I saw you I said, he’s the man who brought Zizou and Ronaldo and now he wants me in his team. Thank you very much for that.

  “I’ll never forget Real Madrid because it is impossible. It’s the best club in the world and in history, that’s as good as it gets. It’s time for me to leave today and to have another story, but the most important thing for me is what I’ve won here.

  “It’s a little bit of a sad day, because I’m leaving this club and that pains me. My dream was in my head, I signed for Madrid and I wanted to finish at Madrid, but life sometimes gives you another opportunity and I’ve taken it with all my family.”

  Benzema joined from Lyon in 2009 and won four LaLiga titles and five Champions League crowns. He also won the 2022 Ballon d’Or.

  Real president Florentino Perez said: “Today is a very difficult day for me. It’s a day that brings back memories and the emotions of the last 14 years and it’s also a day of sentiment and emotions for all madridistas.

  “A period of enormous anticipation began 14 years ago for all madridistas, one of the most impressive in our 121 years of history.”

• Steve Cotterill leaves role as Shrewsbury manager

  Steve Cotterill has left his role as manager of Shrewsbury.

  The 58-year-old had already said his position at the club was uncertain and the Shrews have now confirmed his departure.

  A statement read: “The club would like to place on record their thanks to Steve for all his hard work and commitment during the last two and a half years, taking us from a relegation place in League One to 12th in the table and also for working from his hospital bed during the Covid-19 pandemic.”

  Cotterill guided the club to 12th in League One last season and spent 49 days at the Bristol Royal Infirmary after contracting Covid and developing pneumonia in 2021.

  Cotterill, who joined the club in November 2020, released a statement though the League Managers’ Association.

  “I’m proud of the work that has been done by everyone in the past two and a half years at the club,” he said. “From fighting relegation to a top-half finish. I am confident this team will continue its progression next season.

  “Working through Covid was tough and I have to thank my incredible staff for their help throughout.

  “I would also like to thank the players. It is a fantastic group that gave me absolutely everything, right up to the last game of the season. The relationship I had with them was very special.”