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Atletico Madrid sign Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona

Atletico Madrid's French forward Antoine Griezmann(R) celebrates with Atletico Madrid's Spanish defender Mario Hermoso after scoring during the UEFA Champions League Group B first-leg football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and FC Porto, at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid on September 7, 2022

Atletico Madrid have announced an agreement to sign Antoine Griezmann from Barcelona on a permanent deal for around €20 million.

“Atletico de Madrid and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement over the transfer of Antoine Griezmann, who since the summer of 2021 and until now had played for our club on loan from FC Barcelona,” Los Colchoneros said in a statement.

“In addition, the French striker has signed a contract that will link him to our club until 30 June 2026.”

Griezmann joined Barcelona from Atletico in 2019 in a deal of up to €120m after five years in the capital. He reached the 2015/16 Champions League final and won the 2017/18 Europa League with Atletico before moving.

He established himself as one of the best attackers in the world with Atletico and France but failed to replicate those performances in a Barcelona shirt.

The forward returned to Atletico in 2021 on a two-year loan deal after his unimpressive spell with the Catalans.

The clubs have been struggling to find an agreement for the 31-year-old but look to have found a resolution.

The initial deal had an option to buy for €40m. If Griezmann played half the minutes of the season, the clause would trigger automatically.

Because of the clause, Diego Simeone was bringing Griezmann on as a substitute around the 60-minute mark.

This move led to an ugly but amusing public spat between the clubs before they started negotiations for a permanent deal. Barcelona president Joan Laporta confirmed the fee would be around €20m plus variables.

Griezmann struggled to readapt to Atletico after rejoining last summer, but he has found form this season. He has three goals and two assists in his limited time on the pitch.

With more game time now that a deal is done, he could score more goals and help his side more.

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