Nuno Espirito Santo welcomes new superstars Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Jota to Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad head coach Nuno Espirito Santo looked overjoy as he welcomed his incoming superstars to life at Al-Ittihad on Monday. 

The Portuguese coach has been handed a raft of A-Listers to manage after the Saudi Pro League side celebrated their league win with a raid on the European top flight. 

Al-Ittihad kicked off their summer spending spree with the spectacular signing of Read Madrid star – and last year’s Ballon d’Or winner – Karim Benzema. 

The Frenchman was unveiled in some style at the King Abdullah Sports City in June, and his signing was quickly followed by that of his compatriot, N’Golo Kante, who joined the club from Chelsea as a free agent. 

Celtic star Jota made the move from Glasgow just one year after his deal at Celtic Park became permanent, to the tune of £25million. 

Nuno Espirito Santo doled out hugs to his new superstar signings upon their arrival at Al-Ittihad, including N’Golo Kante (left) and Jota (right)

The Portuguese manager looked delighted to welcome Karim Benzema to pre-season training

Nuno was unveiled as the new head coach of the Saudi Pro League side in the summer of 2022

But Nuno met his new squad in its entirety when the players returned to training ahead of the start of the season on August 11. 

In a video circulated by the club, Nuno looked delighted to meet Kante, Benzema, and his countryman Jota, giving the new players hugs and endearing pats on their cheeks. 

Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport 

Nuno will now begin preparations for the league champions’ Arab Club Champions Cup campaign, which start against ES Tunis on July 27. 

In the group stage of the tournament, Al-Ittihad will then face Tunisian outfit CS Sfaxien, and Iraqi Premier League champions Al-Shorta SC. 

But the former Wolves manager could yet add a few more players to his squad’s ranks before the end of the transfer window. 

The ex-Real Madrid star was unveiled at the beginning of June before 60,000 fans in Jeddah

Paul Pogba’s recent pilgrimage to Mecca prompted questions about whether he would move to the Saudi Pro League

The club are believed to have tabled an enticing £85.6m offer to Juventus’ Paul Pogba after the Frenchman made a disappointing return to Turin last season. 

Juventus may be incentivised to sell the player by the opportunity to reduce their mammoth wage bill, with the club set to save £26.9m should the player leave Serie A before the end of his contract. 

Al-Ittihad have also looked into signing Tottenham star Son Heung-min. 

Follow MailSport on Threads here: https://www.threads.net/@mailsport