Antoine Griezmann Confirms Atlético Madrid Departure for Orlando City SC Move

Antoine Griezmann will leave Atlético Madrid at the end of the 2025-2026 season to join Orlando City SC in July 2026, both clubs confirmed on Tuesday, March 24. The French forward, who turned 35 on March 21, has signed a contract valid through the 2027-2028 MLS season, with an option to extend for the 2028-2029 campaign. Griezmann will sign as a Designated Player when the league's secondary transfer window opens in July, pending medical clearance, receipt of his International Transfer Certificate, and a P-1 visa. The transfer ends a decade-long association with the Madrid club across two separate spells, during which Griezmann became Atlético's all-time top scorer with 211 (goals) — Griezmann's total goals for Atlético Madrid in 488 matches in 488 matches. Atlético traveled to Orlando with the club's permission during a two-day rest period granted to the first team to finalize the agreement, the Madrid club confirmed in an official statement.

Griezmann vows to finish season chasing Copa and Champions League Despite Orlando City's initial interest in securing Griezmann before the American transfer window closed on March 26, the forward chose to remain at Atlético through the end of the season to pursue two major titles. Atlético will face Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final on July 18, 2026, and are still alive in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona. Griezmann has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 43 appearances this season, starting both legs of the Copa del Rey semi-finals against Barcelona and both legs of the Champions League round of 16 against Tottenham Hotspur, including a goal in Atlético's 5-2 first-leg victory. In his farewell statement, published on the club's official website, Griezmann addressed supporters directly. „It is 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, joys, and a passion that only those of us who feel Atleti can understand.” — Antoine Griezmann via El Mundo Atlético sources told Spanish media that making the transfer official now was intended to allow Griezmann to "be calm and focus 100% on this very important stretch" of the season. „I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City. From my first conversations with the Club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me.” — Antoine Griezmann via The New York Times

Orlando owner calls signing "a landmark moment" for MLS Orlando City owner and chairman Mark Wilf framed the acquisition as a transformative move for the club and the broader league. „Bringing Antoine to Orlando is a landmark moment not only for our club, but for our city, our supporters and for Major League Soccer. He is one of the most gifted, accomplished and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club.” — Mark Wilf via The New York Times Orlando City have had a difficult start to the 2026 MLS season, recording just one victory in five matches and sitting 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. The club finished ninth in the Eastern Conference last season before being eliminated in the Wild Card round by Chicago. Club officials described Griezmann's arrival as consistent with their stated goal of "consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year." Griezmann's contract structure, with a two-year base deal and an optional third year, mirrors arrangements typically used by MLS clubs to attract high-profile European players in the latter stages of their careers.

A career spanning 792 matches, one World Cup, and 137 caps Griezmann began his professional career in France before moving to Real Sociedad in Spain, where he established himself as one of Europe's top forwards. He joined Atlético Madrid for the first time in the summer of 2014, remaining for five seasons before signing for FC Barcelona in 2019. He returned to Atlético in 2021, initially on loan before signing a permanent contract, completing a second five-year spell at the club. His career in Europe spanned 792 official matches, producing 298 goals and 132 assists across Real Sociedad, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona, according to Mediafax. Across his career in Europe, Griezmann accumulated 298 goals and 132 assists in 792 official matches, according to the Romanian news agency Mediafax. With the French national team, he earned 137 caps and scored 44 goals, contributing decisively to France's 2018 FIFA World Cup triumph and their run to the 2022 final, before retiring from international football in 2024. At Atlético, he won the UEFA Europa League in 2018 and the UEFA Super Cup, while at Barcelona he added a La Liga title to his collection. His move to Orlando follows a well-established pattern of elite European players completing their careers in MLS, joining a league that has attracted several high-profile signings in recent years. Griezmann said he looked forward to "making Orlando my new home, meeting the supporters, feeling the energy at Inter&Co Stadium, and giving everything I have to help the team achieve great things."

Orlando City SC

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