France football star Antoine Griezmann announced plans to leave Atlético de Madrid at the end of the season in a video released on the club’s official Twitter account on Tuesday.
«I would like to thank all of you for the love you have shown me during these five years,» Griezmann said in the video.
Antoine Griezmann has notified Atletico Madrid that he will move on this summer. Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Antoine Griezmann has informed Atletico Madrid that he will leave this summer, with sources confirming that Barcelona are hopeful of signing him less than one year after he turned them down.
Atletico released a short statement Tuesday revealing that Griezmann had communicated his decision to leave the club after five seasons. They followed that up by posting a video of the French forward on social media explaining his decision to supporters.
«After speaking with (coach Diego Simeone), (CEO Miguel Angel) Gil Marin and with people in the club’s hierarchy, I wanted to speak with you, the fans,» Griezmann said. «You have always shown me a lot of love and I wanted to be the first to tell you that I’ve taken the decision to leave to see other things and take on other challenges.
«It’s been a difficult route to take, but it’s what I feel I need. Thanks for everything during five fantastic years here, where I was able to win my first big trophies. There have been some incredible moments that I will always remember. You, the supporters, will always be in my heart.»
Griezmann scored a team-leading 133 goals in 256 games across all competitions in five seasons for the club. His 126 La Liga goal involvements (goals and assists) in that span are fourth in La Liga behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The move is another blow to the Spanish football club this year, as French defender Lucas Hernandez heads to Bayern Munich next season and Uruguayan defender and Atletico captain Diego Godín also plans to leave the club.
