Nacho to Leave Real Madrid for Saudi Arabia
Nacho Fernández will not accept Real Madrid's one-year renewal offer and will leave the club at the age of 34 to sign with Al-Qadisiyah FC, a newly promoted team in the Saudi league, endorsed by their Spanish coach, José Miguel González 'Míchel'.
Nacho joined Real Madrid in 2001 as a young player at 11 years old and progressed through the ranks until making his first-team debut under José Mourinho in April 2011, starting in a 6-3 win against Valencia at Mestalla in the penultimate round of La Liga. Nacho leaves the club alongside Luka Modric as the player with the most titles in the history of Real Madrid.
Having secured 26 titles and played 364 matches with Real Madrid, Nacho decided months ago to end his tenure at the club and finish his career abroad. He considered playing in the United States but ultimately chose Saudi football due to Míchel's involvement and an irresistible financial offer.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Nacho passed his medical last week and will sign a two-year contract with Al-Qadisiyah once the documents are finalized and approved.
In his final season with Real Madrid, severe knee injuries to Éder Militao and later David Alaba provided Nacho with the continuity he desired. He ended up playing 45 matches and started in a Champions League final for the first time, securing the club's 15th title.