Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about moving closer to his dream of competing in the Champions League by joining La Liga side Villarreal. Saliba was officially unveiled by Villarreal in a press conference where he signed a contract running until 2031.
Hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, Saliba will join fellow Canadians 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 European league, highlighting the effort and dedication he has put into his career development.
The midfielder shared that the prospect of playing in the Champions League is a long-held aspiration for him, underscoring the importance of this career move. Saliba received positive feedback about his new club and city from his Canadian compatriots, who praised the team’s playing style and camaraderie.
Villarreal, who secured a third-place finish in La Liga last season, is set to compete in the 2026-27 Champions League, commencing next month. The club kicked off the current La Liga season with two draws and is gearing up to face Deportivo Alaves next.
At 22 years old, Saliba joins Villarreal from Belgian outfit Anderlecht, where he featured twice in the current season. His impressive track record includes three goals in 34 appearances in the Belgian Pro League with Anderlecht in the previous season.
Prior to his European stint, Saliba showcased his talent in Major League Soccer with CF Montreal, amassing 78 appearances from 2023 to 2025 and scoring two goals. Saliba notably represented Canada at the recent World Cup, contributing a goal from a free kick in the team’s resounding 6-0 victory over Qatar.
In a touching moment during the World Cup, Saliba paid tribute to his injured teammate Ismael Kone by displaying Kone’s jersey after scoring, following a severe leg injury sustained by Kone in the match against Qatar.