Football: Barcelona sign French star Griezmann

Barcelona pays buyout clause for Antoine Griezmann, says club

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - Spain's Barcelona signed French star Antoine Griezmann from their La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid on Friday.

"You were waiting for this. Griezmann, It's magnificent!," Barcelona said in a video on Twitter to announce their forward's arrival. The club posted Griezmann's photo wearing Barcelona's traditional home jersey as well.

"Barcelona has paid the €120 million ($134.9 million) buyout clause to release Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid," Barcelona said on its website.

"The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next five seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros," the club added.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, Griezmann, 28, scored 185 goals in 459 club appearances.

Before joining Atletico Madrid in July 2014, Griezmann had played for another Spanish club, Real Sociedad.

Griezmann has 72 international appearances for France, scoring 29 goals for "Les Bleus" (The Blues) since March 2014.

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