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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
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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