The Uruguayan has parted ways with Barcelona after six years.
Atletico Madrid have signed Barcelona striker Luis Suarez for a reported fee of €6m. The Uruguayan has agreed to a two-year deal with the Rojiblancos.
The 33-year-old had been largely speculated to join Juventus after knowing that he is not in the plans of Ronald Koeman. However, the deal couldn’t see its light due to passport issues.
Soon after that, Atletico showed a great interest in signing the former Liverpool star with boss Diego Simone keen on the transfer. Suarez is going to replace Alvaro Morata, who has joined Juventus on a season-long loan.
Atletico confirmed the transfer in a statement which read as,
“Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have reached an agreement for the transfer of Luis Suarez, subject to a medical and the formal agreement of a new contract for the Uruguayan striker with our club.”
Luis Suarez also admitted that he had it coming even before Koeman told him that he would rely on him this season.
“I already expected Koeman’s call because I was warned about that, I could accept this even though I had a contract, we must accept that decision.
Suarez has undoubtedly left his legacy behind in his six-year spell at Barca, winning several trophies in the process. Last season, he became the club’s third-highest goal-scorer in history, usurping Laszlo Kubala.
In an emotion-filled farewell, Suarez expressed his gratitude towards the Blaugrana.
“It is very hard to say goodbye but I am very grateful after the club trusted in me in the complicated moment I was living when I arrived.
“My team-mates were always fantastic and everyone knows about my sacrifice here, I am proud of leaving that way.
“Playing here was a dream and I never imagined I could reach these numbers because at Barcelona you always must perform at the top and you will never know how long you will stay.”
Suarez has been under immense criticism lately after witnessing a significant drop in his performances for the past two seasons. It can be attributed to the recurring injury woes of late and an overall downgrade of the team’s performance. Nevertheless, Suarez will be remembered as one of the legends of Barca for a long time.
Atletico had been linked with a host of strikers – likes of Edinson Cavani and Arkadiusz Milik – before they chose Suarez. The Uruguayan would link up with Atletico’s expensive signing Joao Felix in this season.
