Atletico Madrid sign Memphis Depay from Barcelona

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Memphis Depay from Barcelona today. The attacker signed a two-and-a-half-year deal until 2025.

The 28-year-old already trained with his teammates yesterday after missing training with Barcelona.

Depay joins Atletico Madrid, hoping to help them secure their Champions League spot with the La Liga title seemingly out of reach. They have advanced to the quarter-final of the Copa del Rey, where they will face Real Madrid, and have crashed out of this season’s UCL campaign.

Atletico Madrid paid €3 million for Depay, who will replace Joao Felix in the Atletico squad.

Depay brings a wealth of experience, versatility, and a final third threat for head coach Diego Simeone’s side. He has spent the last two campaigns with Barcelona and knows the league well.

The former Olympique Lyonnais forward joined Barcelona in 2021 on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract. He spent four seasons in France after a rough spell in England with Manchester United.

Depay scored 76 goals and assisted 55 more for Lyon in his 178 appearances, even becoming the club captain.

In Barcelona, he scored 14 goals and assisted two more for the Catalans despite struggling with niggling injury.

Depay is an adept scorer and creator. He prefers to receive the ball in the left inside channel before turning and creating danger.

However, Depay also functions well as a striker due to his back-to-goal play, which allows him to hold up and link-up play with his teammates.

Also, Depay is an experienced Dutch international. He has 43 goals and 29 assists in 86 games for the Oranje. He is also very close to breaking Van Persie’s all-time scoring record for the European nation (50).

Depay is a solid attacking addition to Los Colchoneros, and they will find solace in their previous dealings with Barcelona. David Villa and Luis Suarez joined them from the Supercopa de Espana champions and helped them to domestic success.

Depay has experience leading teams to titles. He led PSV Eindhoven to the 2014/15 Eredivisie title, finishing as the top scorer with 22 goals that term.