Rate it!

2 votes

Factbox on Lyon striker Karim Benzema, who is Real Madrid-bound.

Born December 19, 1987 in Lyon, Benzema shone through the youth ranks and made his Ligue 1 debut as an 17-year-old in January 2005 against Metz.

Member of France's under-17 European championship-winning side in 2004 alongside Arsenal's Samir Nasri.

Helped Lyon win four consecutive French league titles from 2005 to 2008.

Best season was 2007-08, in which he ended as the Ligue 1 top scorer with 20 goals. Lyon also lifted the French Cup that season, completing their first domestic double.

Scored 43 goals in 112 domestic matches.

INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Made France debut in 1-0 friendly win against Austria in March 2007, scoring the only goal of the game.

Has scored six goals in 24 appearances.

MADRID MOVE

Several top clubs, including Manchester United, had expressed an interest in the promising forward but Benzema had always said his dream was to play for Real Madrid.

Would love to walk in the footsteps of another gifted son of Algerian immigrants, Zinedine Zidane, who graced Real and is now an advisor to club chairman Florentino Perez.

Becomes Real's third major signing for the 2009-10 season after Brazil's Kaka from Milan and Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo from United.

Reuters