Morten Hjulmand leaves Sporting for Atlético de Madrid in €40 million transfer, signing until 2031

Transfer details

Morten Hjulmand is set to join Atlético de Madrid from Sporting CP in a deal worth €40 million fixed. The Danish midfielder will sign a five-year contract running until June 2031, with an annual salary of €6 million according to Spanish press reports. The clubs finalised the remaining details on Wednesday after Sporting accepted the offer, which initially stood at €35 million plus €5 million in variables. The agreement ends weeks of negotiations in which Sporting president Frederico Varandas held firm on his valuation.

Player's perspective

Hjulmand sees the move as a perfect step in his career, believing he can play an immediate role under Diego Simeone. He is enthusiastic about joining the Spanish side and is expected to be available for the start of preseason on Monday. The player's agents arrived in Madrid earlier in the week to finalise contract terms.

Negotiation timeline

1. January 2026Atlético expresses interest; Hjulmand's exit vetoed with promise to negotiate below €80m clause.
2. Jul 8, 2026Negotiations progress; clubs agree on €40 million fixed fee.
3. Jul 9, 2026Deal closed; paperwork exchanged; Hjulmand travels to Madrid.
4. Jul 13, 2026Expected to join Atlético's preseason training and be available to Diego Simeone.

Atlético first showed interest in the January window, but Hjulmand was not permitted to leave, with the promise of a more competitive valuation this summer, well below his €80 million release clause. The breakthrough came on 8 July when the clubs agreed on the fixed fee. By 9 July, Fabrizio Romano reported the deal had been closed, with paperwork to be exchanged that day. Hjulmand is travelling to Madrid on the same day.

Sporting legacy

The 26-year-old departs Lisbon after three and a half seasons with Sporting, having arrived from Lecce in 2023. He made 141 appearances, scored 10 goals, provided 12 assists, and won two Primeira Liga titles and one Taça de Portugal. His exit brings an end to a successful chapter at Alvalade, where he quickly established himself as a key figure in the midfield.