Atletico Madrid permanently contracted French international striker Antoine Griezmann today for 20 million euros, after returning to his ranks from his compatriot Barcelona, with a contract that extends until June 2026, according to an official statement from the capital club.
Griezmann had signed with Barcelona from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for 120 million euros, but he struggled to establish himself at the Camp Nou and was loaned to Atletico in August of last year.
The 31-year-old world champion was among the main plans of his Argentine coach Diego Simeone last season, but he switched to the bench this season, in an attempt by Atletico to avoid paying the mandatory 40 million euros, if he played more than a specified number of matches. A clause included a €40m payout if he played more than 45 minutes in 50% of Atlético’s matches between July 2021 and June 2023.
With the World Cup approaching and Griezmann’s desire for additional participation, Atletico and Barcelona negotiated a new contract estimated at twenty million euros, and Barcelona President Joan Laporta confirmed this number at the club’s general assembly on Sunday.
Griezmann played 303 matches with “Colchoneros”, scoring 144 goals in two periods.
He also scored 35 goals in 102 matches with Barcelona, winning the King’s Cup in 2021.
At the club level, his biggest achievement was winning the Europa League with Atletico in 2018.