Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about joining Villarreal in La Liga, stating that it brings him closer to his aspiration of competing in the Champions League. Saliba was formally introduced by Villarreal during a press conference held on Wednesday, announcing his signing with the club until 2031.
Hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, Saliba is set to join fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent team in Spanish top-tier soccer. Saliba emphasized the significance of playing in a premier European league, attributing it to his dedication to hard work and personal development since the beginning of his career.
Expressing his eagerness to participate in the Champions League, Saliba noted that it is every player’s dream. He credited his compatriots for providing positive feedback about his new club and city, highlighting the camaraderie among players and the team’s football philosophy as key points of anticipation for him.
Villarreal, who secured a third-place finish in La Liga last season, has qualified for the group stage of the upcoming 2026-27 Champions League set to commence next month. The club began the current La Liga season with two draws and is preparing to face Deportivo Alaves in their next fixture.
At 22 years old, Saliba transitions to Villarreal from Belgian outfit Anderlecht, where he had two appearances this season and netted three goals in 34 matches in the Belgian Pro League last season. Prior to his move to Europe, Saliba amassed 78 appearances with Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal from 2023 to 2025, registering two goals.
Saliba notably represented Canada at the recent World Cup, scoring a free kick in a 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver. In a touching gesture during the tournament, Saliba paid tribute to his injured teammate Ismael Kone by displaying his jersey after Kone suffered a severe leg injury due to a reckless tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo.