Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement at the opportunity to play for La Liga side Villarreal, bringing him one step closer to his goal of participating in the Champions League. Saliba, hailing from Longueuil, Quebec, was officially unveiled by Villarreal during a press conference held on Wednesday, where he signed a contract that extends until 2031.
The promising midfielder will be joining fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent club competing in the top division of Spanish football. Saliba emphasized the significance of playing in a top European league, highlighting the hard work and dedication he has put into his career development.
Expressing his aspirations to compete in the Champions League, Saliba shared his enthusiasm for the next chapter in his career. He mentioned receiving positive feedback about his new club and surroundings from his compatriots, who praised the team’s playing style and camaraderie, making him eager to explore more about the club and the city.
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 season, set to kick off in the following month. The club commenced the current La Liga campaign with two draws and is preparing to face Deportivo Alaves in their next fixture.
At 22 years old, Saliba transitions to Villarreal from Anderlecht in Belgium, where he showcased his talents in two matches this season. During his tenure at Anderlecht last season, he netted three goals in 34 appearances in the Belgian Pro League. Before his move to Europe, Saliba enjoyed a successful spell with Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal, featuring in a total of 78 games between 2023 and 2025 and scoring twice.
Saliba also represented Canada at the recent World Cup, where he made a significant impact by scoring a free-kick goal in Canada’s 6-0 victory over Qatar. Notably, 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 from Qatar’s Assim Madibo.
