Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about joining Villarreal in La Liga, as it brings him closer to his goal of playing in the Champions League. Saliba was officially unveiled by Villarreal during a press conference, having signed a contract that extends until 2031.
Hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, Saliba will be sharing the field with fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent Spanish top-tier club. Saliba emphasized the significance of playing in a top European league, highlighting his dedication to hard work and development as crucial in reaching this milestone.
Eager for the opportunity to compete in the Champions League, Saliba expressed his enthusiasm and described it as a dream come true for any player. He also shared that his compatriots had spoken highly of Villarreal, praising the team, city, and the overall footballing culture.
Villarreal, who secured a third-place finish in La Liga last season, is set to participate in the upcoming 2026-27 Champions League league phase, commencing next month. The club kicked off this season with two draws and is gearing up to face Deportivo Alaves in their next fixture.
Having transferred from Anderlecht in Belgium, where he had a modest stint this season, the 22-year-old Saliba made a significant impact with three goals in 34 appearances in the Belgian Pro League last season. Prior to his European venture, Saliba showcased his skills in Major League Soccer with CF Montreal, accumulating 78 appearances and scoring twice from 2023 to 2025.
Saliba also featured for Canada in the recent World Cup, notably scoring a free kick in the team’s resounding 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver. His gesture of acknowledging his goal by displaying Ismael Kone’s jersey, following Kone’s unfortunate injury during the match, resonated as one of Canada’s poignant moments in the tournament.