Canadian midfielder, Nathan Saliba, expressed his excitement at joining La Liga outfit Villarreal as it brings him closer to his aspiration of competing in the Champions League. Saliba was officially presented by Villarreal at a press conference on Wednesday after penning a contract that extends until 2031.
Hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, Saliba is set to join his compatriots Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent club in Spanish football’s top division. Saliba emphasized the significance of playing in a top-tier European league, highlighting his journey of hard work and dedication to his development.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Saliba mentioned that playing in the Champions League is a dream for every player, and he eagerly anticipates the opportunity. He acknowledged receiving positive feedback about his new club and city from his fellow Canadians, who spoke highly of the team dynamics and the footballing culture at Villarreal.
Villarreal, who secured a third-place finish in La Liga last season, qualified for the group stage of the upcoming 2026-27 Champions League, commencing next month. The club began the current La Liga season with two draws and is gearing up to face Deportivo Alaves in their next fixture.
The 22-year-old midfielder makes the switch to Villarreal from Belgian side Anderlecht, where he featured in two matches this season. During his time at Anderlecht last season, Saliba notched three goals across 34 appearances in the Belgian Pro League.
Prior to his move to Europe, Saliba amassed 78 appearances with Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal from 2023 to 2025, scoring twice. His notable performance for Canada at this year’s World Cup included scoring a free-kick goal in a decisive 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver on June 18.
In a poignant moment during the tournament, Saliba paid tribute to his injured teammate, Ismael Kone, by displaying Kone’s jersey after scoring a goal. Kone had sustained a severe leg injury following a reckless tackle from Qatar’s Assim Madibo, necessitating his departure from the field on a stretcher.