Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba expressed his excitement about his recent move to La Liga outfit Villarreal, seeing it as a significant step towards his aspiration of competing in the Champions League. Saliba, hailing from Longueuil, Que., was presented by Villarreal in a press event on Wednesday, marking his commitment to the club until 2031.
Saliba will be joining forces with fellow Canadians Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi at Villarreal, a prominent team in the Spanish top-flight soccer league. He emphasized the importance of playing in a top European league, underscoring his dedication to hard work and development throughout his career.
The midfielder expressed his eagerness to participate in the Champions League, considering it a dream shared by every player. Saliba also mentioned receiving positive feedback about Villarreal and the city from his compatriots, who praised the team’s playing style and camaraderie.
Villarreal, finishing third in the previous La Liga season, secured a spot in the 2026-27 Champions League group stage, commencing next month. The club initiated the current La Liga season with two draws and is gearing up to clash against Deportivo Alaves on Friday.
Having transferred from Anderlecht in Belgium, Saliba, aged 22, showcased his skills with three goals in 34 appearances in the Belgian Pro League last season. Before his European venture, Saliba featured prominently for Major League Soccer’s CF Montreal, accumulating 78 appearances and two goals between 2023 and 2025.
Saliba notably represented Canada at the recent World Cup, scoring a remarkable free kick in a 6-0 victory over Qatar. During the tournament, he paid tribute to teammate Ismael Kone, who suffered a severe leg injury, with a touching gesture by holding up Kone’s jersey after scoring the goal.