Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about his move to La Liga club Villarreal, emphasizing that this opportunity brings him closer to his goal of competing in the prestigious Champions League. Saliba was recently presented at a press conference by Villarreal, who secured his services until 2031.
Hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, Saliba will be joining fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent team in Spanish football’s top division. The midfielder shared his gratitude for the chance to play in a top European league, highlighting the importance of hard work and dedication in his career development.
Saliba eagerly anticipates the prospect of participating in the Champions League, a dream shared by many players. He received positive feedback about his new club and city from his Canadian teammates, who praised the team’s quality players and attractive style of play.
Villarreal, who finished third in La Liga last season, secured a spot in the upcoming 2026-27 Champions League. The club has commenced the current La Liga season with two draws and is gearing up to face Deportivo Alaves in their next match.
The 22-year-old Saliba makes the switch to Villarreal from Anderlecht in Belgium, where he featured twice this season. His impressive record includes three goals in 34 appearances in the Belgian Pro League last season. Prior to his European stint, Saliba showcased his talent in Major League Soccer with CF Montreal, accumulating 78 appearances and two goals between 2023 and 2025.
Saliba notably represented Canada at the recent World Cup, scoring a free kick in a 6-0 victory over Qatar. During the tournament, he displayed a touching gesture by dedicating his goal to teammate Ismael Kone, who suffered a severe leg injury in a match against Qatar.
