Real Madrid makes the departure of Nacho official, who seems headed to Saudi Arabia

MADRID.- He real Madrid made official on Tuesday the departure of its captain Nacho Fernandezwho aims to continue his career in Saudi Arabia after 23 years at the white club and 12 seasons in the first team.

“Real Madrid wants to express its gratitude and affection to Nacho, one of the great legends of our club,” the Spanish giant writes in a statement.

The 34-year-old defender has played 364 games in the white shirt and has won 26 titles, including 6 Champions Leagues, 4 Spanish Leagues and 2 Copas del Rey.

According to the Spanish press, he has already reached an agreement for two seasons with the Saudi club Al Qadsiah, recently promoted to the Saudi Pro League. The Spaniard would thus follow in the footsteps of other heavyweights in Europe such as his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Despite the information, the transfer has not yet been made official.

“Nacho arrived at Real Madrid in 2001, when he was only 10 years old, and has played in all categories of our youth team until becoming a first-team player in 2012,” recalls the club’s statement.

The center-back made a place for himself in the squad during one of the club’s golden eras and, together with Dani Carvajal and Luka Modric, won six Champions Leagues with the white squad.

This season, he lifted the club’s 15th, in addition to the 36th Spanish championship.

Florentino’s words:

“Since he arrived at our youth academy as a child, Nacho has always been an example of improvement for everyone and has earned the love, recognition and admiration of all Real Madrid fans. Real Madrid is and will always be his home,” declared the president of the institution, Florentino Pérez, cited in the statement.

In a bulletin published by the player on social networks, he asked Real Madrid fans “to be remembered as a youth player who gave EVERYTHING for his club.”