AC Milan officially announced on Friday the signing of Spanish forward Álvaro Morata, who was previously with Atlético Madrid and captained the Spanish team that won Euro 2024. Morata has signed a four-year contract with an option for an additional year.

“AC Milan is pleased to announce the definitive acquisition of the sporting services of Álvaro Borja Morata Martín from Atlético Madrid,” the club stated on its website, without disclosing the financial details of the deal.

“Captain of the Spanish team that recently won the European Championship, Morata has signed a contract with the Rossoneri until June 30, 2028, with an option for one more year,” the statement added.

According to Italian media, the club has paid his release clause of €13 million (14.1 million dollars). Morata, who will wear the number 7 shirt, the same number he wore for the national team, will earn between €4.5 and €5 million (4.9 and 5.4 millions dollars) per season.

Atlético Madrid has confirmed that LaLiga has been notified of the release clause payment, although no specific amount has been provided.

“I can’t wait to get started. I’m going on vacation now because I need to be with my family who has supported me so much; otherwise, I would be training starting tomorrow,” said the 31-year-old player and recent Euro 2024 champion to Sky Sports Italia on Wednesday.

Morata expressed confidence in former player Zlatan Ibrahimović, now a club executive, who was instrumental in persuading him to leave Atlético Madrid, despite Morata having expressed just two weeks ago his desire to win titles with the Spanish club on social media.

While it is still early to determine when he will debut with Milan, the media are already mentioning a possible date: August 13, in the Trofeo Silvio Berlusconi, in the Milan-Monza match to be held at the San Siro stadium.

Born in Madrid on October 23, 1992, Álvaro grew up in the youth teams of Atlético, Getafe, and Real Madrid, making his debut with the senior team of the latter in December 2010, as noted by Milan.

In his career, he has played for Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Atlético Madrid, totaling 506 assists and 172 goals. With Atlético Madrid, he has played 154 matches, scoring 58 goals, and in his second stint, he made 93 appearances with 36 goals.

He has won two Champions League titles, one UEFA Super Cup, one Club World Cup, two La Ligas, two Copa del Rey titles, one Spanish Super Cup, two Serie A championships, three Coppa Italia titles, two Italian Super Cups, and one FA Cup.

With the Spanish national team, Morata has accumulated 80 assists and 36 goals. Besides winning Euro 2024, he also secured the 2022/23 Nations League, concludes the Milan statement.

Morata personally communicated his departure to the club and his teammates last Tuesday, who were at their training camp in Los Ángeles de San Rafael. Atlético Madrid wishes him “the best of luck in this new professional stage.”