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Antoine Griezmann announces Atletico Madrid departure

Antoine Griezmann announces Atletico Madrid departure
© Reuters
The France international has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

Antoine Griezmann has told Atletico Madrid that Saturday's LaLiga game with Levante will be his last for the club.

The France striker signed a five-year deal with Atletico last summer and the release clause in his contract will drop to a fee of around £104million on July 1.

Griezmann rejected a move to Barcelona last year before signing his new deal, but he has been heavily linked with a move to the Nou Camp this summer.

Griezmann said in a video posted on the club's Twitter account: "It has been five incredible years, thank you very much for everything, I carry you in my heart.

"After speaking with Cholo (coach Diego Simeone), then with Miguel Angel (chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin) and the people in the hierarchy of the club I wanted to speak with you, the fans, who have always given me a lot of love.

Antoine Griezmann
Antoine Griezmann won the World Cup with France last summer (Owen Humphreys/PA)

"To tell you I have taken the decision to leave. To see other things, to have other challenges.

"The truth is it has been difficult to take this route, but it is what I feel I need and I would like to thank all of you for the love you have shown me during these five years."

Griezmann left Real Sociedad for Atletico in July 2014 and has scored 94 goals in 179 LaLiga games and a further 21 in 48 in the Champions League.

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Alvaro Morata in action for Atletico Madrid against Real Valladolid on April 27, 2019
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona13110240122833
2Real Madrid1283125111427
3Atletico MadridAtletico137511971226
4Villarreal127322319424
5Osasuna136341720-321
6Athletic Bilbao135531913620
7Real BetisBetis135531412220
8Real Sociedad135351110118
9Mallorca135351010018
10GironaGirona135351617-118
11Celta Vigo135262022-217
12Rayo Vallecano124441313016
13Sevilla134361218-615
14Leganes133551316-314
15AlavesAlaves134181422-813
16Las PalmasLas Palmas133371622-612
17Getafe13175811-310
18Espanyol123181122-1110
19Real ValladolidValladolid132381025-159
20Valencia11146817-97


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