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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
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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