Barcelona sign Antoine Griezmann

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of French forward Antoine Griezmann after triggering his €120 million (£107.6m) release clause.

Griezmann announced he would be leaving Atletico Madrid last month following a five-year stay in the Spanish capital. Arriving at Atleti in 2014, the 28-year-old became one of most highly sought after players in Europe, finishing in third place in the Ballon d’Or in 2016.

He scored 133 goals in 235 appearances and played a vital role in helping Diego Simeone’s men lift the Europa League and La Liga titles.

Announcing the news in a club statement, the Catalan giants added the Frenchmen will sign a five-year deal that ties him to the Camp Nou until June 30, 2024. Barcelona also added he will have a buyout clause of €800 million.

In a club statement relased by Barcelona it read:

“FC Barcelona has paid the 120 million euro buyout clause to release Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid.

The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros.

We will shortly be publishing the full schedule for the presentation of Antoine Griezmann as a new member of the Barça first team.”

Atletico Madrid took no time in replacing Antoine Griezmann, signing Benfica wonder-kid Joao Felix for £113 million pounds last week. The Spanish outfit also confirmed they would be giving Felix the number seven shirt, the former number of Griezmann.

The departure of the 28-year-old adds to a long list of exits from the Wanda Metropolitano stadium this window, having seen Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Juanfran, Filipe Luis and Rodri all leave the club.