Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about joining La Liga side Villarreal, stating that it brings him closer to fulfilling his dream of competing in the Champions League. Saliba was officially presented by Villarreal during a press conference on Wednesday, where he signed a contract that extends 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, emphasizing the importance of hard work and dedication in his journey to this point.
The midfielder highlighted his eagerness to experience playing in the Champions League, describing it as a dream shared by every player. Saliba mentioned receiving positive feedback about his new club and the city from his Canadian compatriots, who spoke highly of the team’s playing style and camaraderie.
Villarreal, who secured a third-place finish in La Liga last season, is set to participate in the group stage of the 2026-27 Champions League starting next month. The club commenced the current La Liga season with two draws and is preparing to face Deportivo Alaves in their upcoming match.
Saliba, aged 22, joins Villarreal from Anderlecht in Belgium, where he made two appearances this season and scored three goals in 34 matches in the Belgian Pro League last season. Prior to his European venture, Saliba featured in 78 games for Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal from 2023 to 2025, finding the net twice.
During this year’s World Cup, Saliba represented Canada and notably scored a free-kick goal in a 6-0 victory over Qatar. In a touching tribute to his injured teammate Ismael Kone, Saliba held up Kone’s jersey after scoring the goal, following Kone’s departure from the field due to a serious leg injury caused by a reckless tackle from a Qatari player.
