Alvaro Morata, skipper and EURO 2024 winner with Spain, poses with the EURO trophy (AFP)
Milan reportedly had triggered Morata’s 13-million euro release clause in order to obtain the Spaniard.
Spain’s skipper and Atletico Madrid forward Alvaro Morata has agreed to sign with Serie A side AC Milan on a four-year deal on Friday, say sources.
Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano announced that the EURO 2024-winning skipper will take his talents to Milan and shall play for the Rossoneri till 2028.
Milan reportedly had triggered Morata’s 13-million euro release clause in order to obtain the Spaniard.
⚫️ Álvaro Morata has signed his contract as new AC Milan player on four year deal until June 2028 plus option for further season.AC Milan have triggered €13m release clause from Atlético.
Deal completed. pic.twitter.com/usQhoYhO6M
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2024
Morata, who found his initial big break in the esteemed whites of Real Madrid, has been a pivotal part of Los Blancos’ rivals Atletico Madrid this past season, netting 15 times in the La Liga for them, second to just Antoine Griezmann’s tally of 16 goals.
It was reported earlier this week that the Spanish forward had already announced his decision to leave the Wanda Metropolitano and set forth to captivate the San Siro, and had already bid adieu to manager Diego Simeone.
“I am going to undergo a medical and then yes, I will join AC Milan. It’s better to part ways when you can’t give 100% anymore. I have said my goodbyes to my teammates, Diego Simeone and the board. It was important for me to do the same and thank them for everything.” stated Morata to Spanish news outlet COPE.
Morata’s venture in Atletico, for all his good times, could not result in a European trophy for the Colchoneros, as the side fumbled under the pressure against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final of the UEFA Champions League last season. But, for Morata, winning the EURO with Spain was his love letter to Atletico as well.
“For me, lifting the European Championship with Spain is the same as winning a title with Atletico. I say so because Atletico is the club I belong to – on my shin guards, I wore the Atletico crest as we won the title,” said Morata.
AC Milan CEO Girogio Furlani emphasised on the “fundamental role” that Morata will play in the Rossoneri’s road to Serie A success yet again, and also the role that Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic played in luring the Spaniard to the San Siro.
“Zlatan and Fonseca (Milan’s new manager) were fundamental to convincing him [to join Milan]. Ibrahimovic knows what it means to be the Milan striker, and Fonseca explained how important he will be in the project.”
After finishing 19 points behind bitter rivals Inter in Serie A last season, on top of having a trophyless campaign, the newly-inspired side will want to usurp the Nerazzurri in 2024-25 under the guidance of Fonseca.
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