Antoine Griezmann is set to join Orlando City, despite having called staying at Atletico Madrid his “dream.”
The French forward now seems ready to move to MLS, following some earlier uncertainty about his career path.
This marks a notable change for one of Atletico’s key players.
Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images
Antoine Griezmann Orlando City transfer agreement details
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Antoine Griezmann will join Orlando City on a free transfer in July 2026.
“Antoine Griezmann to Orlando City, here we go! Verbal agreement in place for the French star to join MLS side. Agreement for July 2026, free transfer from Atletico,” Romano tweeted.
He added: “After March’s deal was rejected, an agreement is now done for summer. Griezmann will travel to the USA this week.”
This agreement follows a previous failed attempt to complete the transfer sooner, with both parties now aligned for a summer move.
It signals the end of Griezmann’s current stint at Atletico Madrid, where he has been a pivotal player.
Antoine Griezmann previously revealed his Atletico Madrid dream
Griezmann had earlier indicated that staying at Atletico Madrid was his priority, despite interest from Orlando City.
“I feel good here and enjoy my time. My performance on the pitch speaks for itself. We’ll see, but my aim is to stay until the end, and then others can comment,” he said in March.
“That’s my dream and my goal, to hopefully achieve something significant,” he added.
These past comments contrast with the recent agreement, demonstrating how quickly circumstances can change in the transfer market.
The change suggests either a shift in personal priorities or developments in negotiations that affected the outcome.
For Orlando City, this represents a major acquisition, while for Atletico Madrid, it marks the exit of a long-time key player.