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Atletico Madrid have officially secured the signing of Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP in a deal valued at €40 million. The Denmark international has put pen to paper on a contract running until June 2031 after successfully completing his medical, becoming Diego Simeone’s newest addition to reinforce the midfield ahead of the upcoming season.

Atletico land long-term midfield target

The Spanish club confirmed that they had reached a full agreement with Sporting CP for Hjulmand’s transfer, a deal reported by Marca to be worth €40 million. The 27-year-old Denmark international has signed a contract valid until 30 June 2031 after passing his medical tests. His arrival strengthens Los Rojiblancos’ defensive midfield options. Atletico had evaluated several possible signings for the position, including Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, before finalising their move for Sporting’s captain.

Atletico outline what Hjulmand brings

In their official announcement, Atletico described Hjulmand’s playing style and the qualities that persuaded them to complete the deal. The club highlighted that he is recognised for his “physical power, ability to recover possession, and tactical intelligence,” describing these traits as key to his “anticipation and distribution of the ball.”

“Atletico de Madrid and Sporting CP have reached an agreement for the transfer of Morten Hjulmand, who has signed with our club until 30 June 2031,” read the official club statement. “The 27-year-old right-footed defensive midfielder is known for his strength, ball-winning skills, and reading of the game, which enhance his anticipation and passing ability. Welcome, Hjulmand!”

A leader joins Simeone’s ranks

Hjulmand began his football journey in FC Copenhagen’s youth academy before launching his professional career with Admira Wacker in Austria. In 2021, he joined Lecce, helping the Italian side secure promotion to Serie A. At just 23, he became Lecce’s youngest-ever captain and the second-youngest in Serie A history, behind Francesco Totti.

After moving to Sporting CP, Hjulmand captained the Portuguese giants, making 141 appearances and capturing two Portuguese league titles and one Portuguese Cup. On the international front, he debuted for Denmark in September 2023 and has since earned 27 caps. His arrival at Atletico adds depth and competition in midfield alongside Koke, Pablo Barrios, and Johnny Cardoso, giving Simeone another solid defensive option in central areas.

Hjulmand set for new chapter at Atletico

The Danish midfielder has already toured Atletico’s training facilities and is set to immediately link up with his new teammates for pre-season preparations. He is expected to challenge for a key role in Simeone’s setup as the team readies itself for both domestic and European competitions. With experience across Denmark, Austria, Italy, and Portugal, Hjulmand’s adaptability could prove vital as he transitions into life in La Liga.