Atlético de Madrid and Orlando City SC jointly confirmed on Tuesday that Antoine Griezmann will join the MLS club at the end of the European season. Though Griezmann is under contract with Atlético until 2027, the clubs did not confirm a transfer fee; it was expected that Atleti would let the World Cup-winning forward leave for free in gratitude for his decade of service at the club.
The confirmation follows reporting over the weekend that Griezmann, 35, was flying to Florida over the season’s final FIFA break to sign officially for Orlando City. The Lions now have inked Griezmann, Atlético’s all-time top scorer, to a two-year contract with an option for a third season as Designated Player earning above the league’s salary cap in 2028/29.
Griezmann will leave Atlético with 211 goals (and counting) to his name, across 488 official appearances (and counting). To date, he has won a Supercopa de España, a UEFA Super Cup and a UEFA Europa League title as an Atleti player; he can add a Copa del Rey to that trophy cabinet on April 18, when Atleti face Real Sociedad in the final at Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville. In addition, Atleti have progressed to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, where they hope to take down FC Barcelona and reach a first UCL semifinal in nine years.
Griezmann will officially join Orlando City in July, when Major League Soccer’s midseason transfer window opens. Orlando has won only one of its first five games and sits 13th in the Eastern Conference with three points. The Lions sacked head coach Oscar Pareja two weeks ago.
In a statement posted to his Instagram feed, Griezmann wrote:
“It’s not easy to put into words what I feel, because this club is my home and you are my family. It has been an incredible journey, full of unforgettable matches, goals, joy, and a passion that only those of us who feel Atleti can truly understand.
“But for now, let’s leave the future in the future, because I’m not leaving yet. I still have months left wearing this shirt, months to give everything in our stadium and away from it, to lift that Copa del Rey and to dream of going as far as possible in the Champions League.
“We still have many opportunities ahead of us to be happy. I want every minute I have left here to be a tribute to this badge. The best is still to come. We’ll do it as we always have: together.
“My present will remain red and white until the very last breath of this 2026 season. And my heart will be forever.
Aúpa Atleti.”
Damn, how did this room get so dusty all of a sudden?
