Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about joining Villarreal in La Liga, stating that it brings him closer to his goal of competing in the Champions League. Saliba was officially unveiled by Villarreal during a press conference where his contract extension until 2031 was announced.
Hailing from Longueuil, Que., Saliba is set to team up with fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent Spanish top-tier soccer club. Delighted about the opportunity to play in a prestigious European league, Saliba emphasized the significance of hard work and dedication in his career development.
Expressing his eagerness to participate in the Champions League, Saliba highlighted that it is a dream shared by every player. He shared that his compatriots had spoken highly of the club, city, team dynamics, and the football culture at Villarreal, sparking his anticipation to explore further.
Villarreal, who secured a third-place finish in La Liga last season, has qualified for the upcoming 2026-27 Champions League league phase commencing next month. The club has initiated the current La Liga season with two draws and is gearing up to clash against Deportivo Alaves on Friday.
The 22-year-old Saliba makes the transition to Villarreal from Anderlecht in Belgium, where he had a brief stint with two appearances in the current season. During his time with Anderlecht last season, Saliba showcased his talent with three goals in 34 Belgian Pro League matches. Prior to his European venture, Saliba featured prominently for Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal, accumulating 78 appearances between 2023-25 and scoring twice.
Saliba notably represented Canada in the recent World Cup, scoring a crucial free kick in the 6-0 victory over Qatar. In a touching moment during the tournament, Saliba paid tribute to his injured teammate Ismael Kone by displaying Kone’s jersey after the goal, following a serious leg injury sustained by Kone during the game.