This handout picture taken and released by Real Madrid.com on June 6, 2023 shows French forward Karim Benzema delivering a speech during his farewell ceremony at Real Madrid club in Madrid. (PHOTO / AFP)

MADRID - Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema said farewell to Real Madrid in a small, private ceremony closed to fans and media on Tuesday following a trophy-laden 14-year stay with the LaLiga club.

The French striker, 35, will leave as a free agent in the close season and is set to move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad, signing a three-year deal estimated by media reports to be worth more than 100 million euros ($106.93 million).

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema runs to the ball during a penalty shot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match against Athletic Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on June 4, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

An offer from Saudi Arabia made him rethink his decision to stay in Spain for a final season, with the striker deciding to void the one-year extension clause he had in his contract.

"I am excited to experience a new football league in a different country. I have been fortunate to achieve amazing things in my career and achieve everything I can in Spain and Europe," he said.

There were no tears in a ceremony that lasted less than 20 minutes and in which only players, family and close friends were allowed to attend.

This AFP graphic dated June 6, 2023 shows the main statistics of French footballer Karim Benzema.

"I will never forget Real Madrid. It's impossible, it's the best club in history. But I think today is the time to leave and to get to know another story," Benzema told the small audience at Real's training facilities.

Having joined Real Madrid in 2009 from Olympique Lyonnais, Karim Benzema became the spearhead of the club's attack and their main goal-scoring threat after Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018

"It's difficult to talk with so many feelings, but I wanted to thank Real Madrid and my team mates. It was a good path in my life. I have been lucky enough to fulfil my childhood dream."

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Benzema follows his former Real team mate Cristiano Ronaldo to the Gulf country after the Portugal forward signed a 2-1/2 year contract estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($213.78 million) with Al-Nassr in December.

Having joined Real in 2009 from Olympique Lyonnais, Benzema became the spearhead of the club's attack and their main goal-scoring threat after Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018.

Benzema scored 354 goals for Real to sit second on the club's all-time scoring list behind Ronaldo.

He had his best season in the 2021-22 campaign when he scored 44 times in all competitions to lead the side to a record-extending 14th European title as well as the LaLiga crown.

In this handout picture release by the Saudi Pro League on June 6, 2023, French football player Karim Benzema sits between members of Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad club in Madrid during a signing ceremony in Madrid. (PHOTO / AFP)

His pivotal role earned him the Ballon d'Or award, making him the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth Frenchman overall.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez praised Benzema for all he had done at the club.

"Karim, you have been an example of behavior and professionalism in our club," Perez said.

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"You have earned the right to decide your destiny. A future that only belongs to you and we must respect it."