Atletico Madrid have announced the signing of Luis Suarez from Barcelona on a free transfer, with six million euros to be paid in variables.
The striker reached an agreement with the Catalan club to rescind the final year of his contract, allowing him to pen a two-year deal at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
Suarez will earn nine million euros after tax per year at Atletico, where he’ll work under Diego Simeone.
The transfer comes after Juventus turned down the chance to sign the Uruguayan, preferring to go for Alvaro Morata on loan instead. Morata’s exit at Atletico has now allowed Suarez to join.
Suarez leaves quite the legacy behind him at Barcelona, where he scored 198 goals in 283 appearances over six years.
Since his move from Liverpool in 2014, he’s won four LaLiga Santander titles, one Champions League, four Copa del Rey titles, one UEFA Super Cup, two Supercopa de Espana titles and one Club World Cup, as well as a Pichichi Trophy.
Other highlights for the Catalan club included doubles against Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain on the way to the 2015 Champions League final, which he also scored in against the club he is now joining; his four goals and three assists at Riazor; 11 goals against Real Madrid, including a hat-trick in 2018; a Johan Cruyff-style penalty he took with Neymar; and that backheel against Real Mallorca.
Unfortunately for the 33-year-old, the 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich, in which he scored, was his last game for the Blaugrana after a difficult final season.
In terms of numbers – 21 goals in 36 appearances – it was far from a bad campaign for Suarez, but a good part of it was hampered be injury.
This summer, after being told he’s not part of Ronald Koeman’s plans going forward, Suarez has reluctantly chosen to leave the Camp Nou.
His departure will be good news for Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele, who are more likely to form more consistent relationships with Lionel Messi in attack.
As for Suarez’s replacement, Barcelona are looking to bring in a striker but a move for Lautaro Martinez is proving difficult.
David Villa: The good omen
Suarez follows in the footsteps of David Villa by making the switch from Barcelona to Atletico in the latter stages of his career.
Spain’s record goalscorer cost Los Rojiblancos just 2.1 million euros, plus three million euros in add-ons, in the summer of 2013.
In his only season at the Estadio Vicente Calderon, Villa played 47 matches, scored 15 goals and provided five assists as Diego Costa’s strike partner.
The former Valencia forward returned to the Camp Nou on the final day of the 2013/14 campaign as Simeone’s side clinched the LaLiga Santander title.
source: Marca
