Former Real Madrid captain Nacho has become the latest star to join the Roshn Saudi League after signing for newly promoted Al Qadsiah.
The hugely decorated Spaniard has agreed a two-year deal with the Khobar side, who return to the Saudi Arabian top flight for the first time since the 2020-21 season.
Nacho, 34, had spent a remarkable 23 years at Madrid having entered to the club’s youth academy in 2001, aged 10. After making his senior team debut in 2012, he went on to represent the Spanish giants 364 times and collect an extraordinary 26 trophies.
Earlier this month, in what proved to be his final appearance for Madrid, Nacho led the club to a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League final, as he became one of only five players to win six European Cups with the club.
Currently part of the Spain squad at the UEFA European Championship 2024 Germany, Nacho’s list of titles won at the Bernabeu include four La Liga crowns, two Copa del Reys, five FIFA Club World Cups, four European Super Cups and five Spanish Super Cups.
With his national team, he also tasted success at the 2013 UEFA Under-21s European Championship and in the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
On his departure from Madrid, the 26-time capped defender said: "It has been months of reflection, indecision and doubts, but I come to tell you that I need to live one last and different experience with my family, and this is the perfect time.”
Nacho represents Al Qadsiah’s fourth foreign signing already this summer, following the arrivals of versatile Uruguayan international Nahitan Nandez from Cagliari, Belgian international goalkeeper Koen Casteels from Wolfsburg, and Mexican international forward Julian Quinones from Club America.
Al Qadsiah have also recruited Saudi midfielder Hussein Al Qahtani from Al Shabab.