Official: Memphis Depay joins Atletico Madrid from Barcelona

Cameron Smith

Updated: 20 Jan 2023 13:27 GMT
3 min read

Atletico Madrid have officially completed the permanent signing of Barcelona and Netherlands forward Memphis Depay for €3 million, with a further €1m in potential add-ons.

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The Dutchman has joined Atleti on a two-and-a-half year deal and will act as Joao Felix's replacement, who joined Chelsea on a six-month loan deal earlier this January.

The move also includes Yannick Carrasco, with Barcelona adding a preferential, but not compulsory, purchase option for the Belgian into Atleti's deal to sign Depay.

READ: Exclusive: 'Unthinkable Arsenal will pay Barcelona's Raphinha asking price'

In an official club statement, Barcelona said: "FC Barcelona would like to publicly thank Memphis for his commitment and dedication and wishes him all the best for the future."

Depay at Barcelona

Depay joined the Blaugrana on a free transfer in 2021 after spending five seasons in Ligue 1 at Olympique Lyonnais. The Dutchman joined his countryman Ronald Koeman at the club and his start to life at Camp Nou was very impressive.

But, the dismissal of Koeman and appointment of Xavi was bad news for Depay, who began to lose his place in the team, with Xavi signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January in preference of trusting Depay.

READ: Barcelona close to unlocking Gavi contract

© ProShots - Robert Lewandowski's arrival has limited Memphis Depay's game time this season

That theme has continued this year, with Robert Lewandowski becoming the first-choice number nine after arriving from Bayern Munich. Depay has featured just four times in all competitions this campaign, and has made the switch to Atleti in order to reignite his career.

The 28-year-old has left Barcelona with 14 goals and two assists in 42 appearances for the club. He's expected to become a key player at Atleti following the permanent departure of Matheus Cunha to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Felix's loan move to Chelsea.

Depay has already begun training with his new team-mates ahead of their game against Real Valladolid on January 21.