Orlando City has made a major splash in the transfer market, announcing the arrival of legendary French forward Antoine Griezmann from Atlético Madrid.
Griezmann will join as a Designated Player in July after the completion of the season in Spain. The longtime France international will sign a contract through the 2027-28 season, with an option for 2028-29.
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“Bringing Antoine to Orlando is a landmark moment not only for our club, but for our city, our supporters and for Major League Soccer,” said Orlando City owner Mark Wilf.
“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.
“Our focus is on consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year, and adding a world-class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment and our belief in what the club can achieve.”
“Antoine is a complete footballer – creative, intelligent, clinical – and he is a proven winner on the biggest stages of the game,” Orlando City GM and sporting director Ricardo Moreira added.
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“Beyond his talent, he brings leadership, a relentless drive and a championship mentality that will elevate everyone around him. This is a statement signing for our club and ownership group, and we are thrilled to welcome Antoine and his family to Orlando.”
Griezmann moves to MLS after establishing himself as one of the best attacking players across Europe over the past decade-plus.
The 35-year-old has spent his entire pro career in Spain, tallying 298 goals and 132 assists across 792 professional appearances with Atlético Madrid, FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad.
Griezmann retired from the France national team in 2024 after a legendary international career, scoring 44 goals and 38 assists across 137 caps and helping Les Blues win the 2018 World Cup title and finish runner-up in the 2022 edition.
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The forward is still making a major impact for one of Europe’s top teams, scoring 13 total goals this season for an Atlético side that is still in contention for a Champions League title.
“I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City,” said Griezmann. “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.
“I look 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.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Antoine Griezmann to join Orlando City from Atletico Madrid
