Unveiling by Conor Gallagher joins Atletico Madrid from Chelsea in €42m Deal
Atletico Madrid have signed England midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea on a five-year deal, the La Liga and the Premier League clubs said on Wednesday.
Gallagher, who had been at Chelsea since the age of eight, has signed a contract until 2029 with Atletico who has paid 42 million euros for the 24-year-old, according to media reports.
"We wish Conor the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career," Chelsea said in an official announcement on their website.
Gallagher spent the early part of his senior career on loan, including spells at Premier League clubs West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. He did not make his Chelsea debut until 2022.
Last season Gallagher started 37 Premier League games, missing just one league match through suspension, and spent most of the campaign as club captain due to injuries to Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Gallagher had one year left on his Chelsea contract, and new manager Enzo Maresca recently stated that he had been offered a new contract.
He made his England debut in 2021, has 18 caps, and made five appearances at Euro 2024 where England reached the final, losing 2-1 to Spain.
Gallagher and Atletico's other new signings will be unveiled later on Wednesday in a party open to fans at their Metropolitano stadium, headlined by former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.
Atletico have spent around 200 million euros following deals for Spain defender Robin Le Normand and Norway striker Alexander Sorloth.
After a disappointing 2-2 draw at Villarreal to start the La Liga season on Monday, Atletico host last year's surprise package Girona on Sunday.
Gallagher, who had been at Chelsea since the age of eight, has signed a contract until 2029 with Atletico who has paid 42 million euros for the 24-year-old, according to media reports.
"We wish Conor the very best as he begins a new chapter in his career," Chelsea said in an official announcement on their website.
Gallagher spent the early part of his senior career on loan, including spells at Premier League clubs West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace. He did not make his Chelsea debut until 2022.
Last season Gallagher started 37 Premier League games, missing just one league match through suspension, and spent most of the campaign as club captain due to injuries to Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Gallagher had one year left on his Chelsea contract, and new manager Enzo Maresca recently stated that he had been offered a new contract.
He made his England debut in 2021, has 18 caps, and made five appearances at Euro 2024 where England reached the final, losing 2-1 to Spain.
Gallagher and Atletico's other new signings will be unveiled later on Wednesday in a party open to fans at their Metropolitano stadium, headlined by former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez.
Atletico have spent around 200 million euros following deals for Spain defender Robin Le Normand and Norway striker Alexander Sorloth.
After a disappointing 2-2 draw at Villarreal to start the La Liga season on Monday, Atletico host last year's surprise package Girona on Sunday.
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SportsTranscript
00:00Conor Gallagher was unveiled by Atletico Madrid in a spectacular ceremony after officially
00:09completing the move on Wednesday evening.
00:11The 24-year-old, who signed a five-year contract with the La Liga Giants from Chelsea for a
00:16transfer fee of $46.8 million, walked out of the Civitas Metropolitano stadium flanked
00:22by two riders on Harley-Davidson motorbikes donning the number four jersey.
00:26The crowd in attendance made sure to welcome him accordingly, by thirdlessly chanting his
00:31name in response to the stadium announcer.
00:33It was really a heartwarming reception for the former Chelsea academy graduate who was
00:38unceremoniously banished from the first team by the newly appointed manager Enzo Maresca,
00:43omitted from the Blues pre-season squad and forced to training at Cobham.
00:47The English international then took a moment to walk around the centre of the pitch waving
01:01and appreciating the affection he was being accorded.
01:05Thank you for making me feel at home," he wrote on social media afterwards.
01:09Also presented to the Atletico supporters during the same event were Julian Alvarez,
01:13who was signed from Manchester City, Robin Luenormand from Real Sociedad and Alexander
01:18Sorleth from Villarreal.