ANKARA

Croatian small forward Mario Hezonja joined Real Madrid on Thursday, the Spanish basketball powerhouse confirmed. 

In a statement, Real Madrid said Hezonja, 27, reached an agreement with the club that will keep him at the Whites until 2024.

Hezonja had played for Spain's Barcelona before his move to NBA in 2015.

He was an Orlando Magic player in 2015-2018, then signed by the New York Knicks, and played for the Portland Trail Blazers while in the US.

Last year, Hezonja returned to Europe as Greek club Panathinaikos signed him.

Last season, he played for Russia's UNICS Kazan.

In February, all Russian clubs were suspended by the EuroLeague Basketball due to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Due to the same reason, the Russian teams were also barred from the 2022-23 EuroLeague campaign that is expected to start this autumn.

Hezonja won local titles in Spain and Greece.

Separately, he represents the Croatian national team.