Atlético Madrid signs Spain left-back Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen on contract until 2030
The 30-year-old defender, currently at the 2026 World Cup with Spain, becomes Diego Simeone’s first summer addition after three seasons in the Bundesliga.
The deal
Atlético Madrid announced on Tuesday that they had reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for the transfer of Spanish international left-back Alejandro Grimaldo. The player signed a contract keeping him at the Metropolitano until 30 June 2030, making him the club's first signing ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Atlético de Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alejandro Grimaldo, who signs for our club until 30 June 2030.
The fee was not officially disclosed. Spanish media reports put the transfer at around €15 million, while Portuguese sources cite a figure closer to €20 million. Grimaldo will be 31 in September.
Filling the left flank
Atlético had identified the left side of defence as a priority after ending last season with only Italian Matteo Ruggeri as a natural option in that role. The club initially pursued Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, but Real Madrid moved ahead and signed the Catalan just before Spain’s World Cup opener. Grimaldo then emerged as the alternative, described as a safe bet given his international experience and versatility.
He is currently with the Spain squad at the 2026 World Cup under coach Luis de la Fuente, for whom he has been a regular call-up since his senior debut in November 2023.
Career trajectory
Born in Valencia on 20 September 1995, Grimaldo divided his youth career between Atlético Vallbonense, Valencia and La Masia at Barcelona. He never broke into the first team at the Camp Nou, leaving for Benfica in December 2015.
Over seven and a half seasons in Lisbon he made 303 official appearances, scored 27 goals and provided 66 assists, winning four Portuguese league titles, three Supercups, one Taça de Portugal and one League Cup. In the summer of 2023 he moved to Bayer Leverkusen, where he became a key figure under Xabi Alonso.
- Joins Benfica from Barcelona B, signing his first professional contract in Portugal.
- Moves to Bayer Leverkusen after eight seasons at Benfica.
- Wins Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double, later adding the German Supercup.
- Atlético Madrid announce his signing on a contract until June 2030.
With Leverkusen, he played 145 matches, netting 30 times and delivering 45 assists. The highlight was the historic 2023/24 double of Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, followed by a German Supercup and a run to the Europa League final. In the most recent campaign he recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in 46 games.
Player profile
A versatile left-back who can also play as a wing-back, interior midfielder and even attacking midfielder, he stands out for his technique and vision, which allow him to contribute goals and assists with ease.
Álex Grimaldo’s offensive output is unusually high for a defender. His last season alone saw him log over 4 000 minutes, a testament to his durability and importance. Spanish outlets note his set-piece precision and physical capacity as traits that suit Simeone’s system, where full-backs are expected to both defend resolutely and join attacks.
Return to Spain
A decade after leaving without a single LaLiga appearance, Grimaldo returns to his home country as a European champion (Euro 2024) and a World Cup participant. The move reunites him with Spanish football’s spotlight, this time in the red and white of Atlético Madrid.
