Antoine Griezmann has announced his departure from Atletico Madrid with his anticipated move to Barcelona expected to be completed in the next week.
Reports this week suggested Barcelona had triggered the Frenchman’s €125 million release clause after he informed the club about his desire to join the La Liga champions.
Griezmann, who snubbed the option to move to the Nou Camp last summer and instead committed his future to Atletico, confirmed on Tuesday evening that his time at the club is now over.
Marca led on the reports of the star forward’s exit, having reportedly told his teammates and then Atleti boss Diego Simeone alongside senior club officials
The forward bid his farewells to the Atleti fans in a heartfelt video posted on social media, saying:
“After talking with Cholo, Miguel Angel and the people from the offices, I wanted to talk to the fans who have given me a lot of love,” Griezmann said.
“I have decided to leave, see other things, have other challenges and with great difficulty, this is what I feel and I need.
“It’s been five great years where I’ve won my first important trophies with a club. It’s been a very important stage.
“I have enjoyed a lot, I have left everything in the field, I have tried to behave well, I have tried to give joy to the people who have come to the Metropolitano and also away from home, and I only have gratitude for all of you”.
In his time at Atletico, Griezmann has established himself as one of the world’s top attacking players, and helped his side to the Europa League title last season.
Griezmann has scored 15 La Liga goals this season, continuing a trend of having reached double digits in all five of his seasons with Atletico.
In his five years in Madrid Griezmann won the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Supercopa de España