Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of midfielder Conor Gallagher from Chelsea.
The Athletic reported a deal was in place between the two clubs worth €42million (£35.8m, $54.7m), which includes an undisclosed sell-on clause for the Stamford Bridge side.
The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract at the Wanda Metropolitano that runs until 2029.
The move had previously stalled to leave the England international in limbo despite agreeing personal terms, travelling to Madrid and undergoing a medical.
The collapse of Samu Omorodion’s proposed move the other way had delayed Gallagher’s departure, with Atletico needing to raise funds to finalise the deal with a sale.
He returned to the UK at Chelsea’s request last week before the club agreed a deal with their La Liga counterparts to sign Joao Felix, paving the way for Gallagher complete his own switch. He flew to Madrid on Tuesday evening to complete the move.
Having turned down three offers of a two-year contract extension with a club option to extend for a third, Chelsea indicated to Gallagher that he would be sold to avoid risking losing him on a free transfer next summer.
Gallagher enjoyed an impressive 2023-24 season, providing seven goals and nine assists in 50 appearances in all competitions.
The Chelsea academy product made his first-team debut for the club in August 2022 following a season-long loan stay at Crystal Palace, where he scored eight goals during 34 Premier League appearances.
Gallagher has won 18 caps since making his debut for England in 2021. He played five games during England’s run to the final of the European Championship but was an unused substitute in the defeat to Spain.
He becomes Atletico’s fourth major arrival of the summer following deals for Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth.
GO DEEPER
Inside Conor Gallagher’s chaotic wait for his Chelsea future to be resolved
(Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
