Atalanta closes deal for Thomas Kristensen (22 M€ +
According to Sports.
Context
Thomas Kristensen, a 24-year-old Danish international, arrived at Udinese in the summer of 2023 and quickly made a name for himself in Serie A. His move to Atalanta represents an important step in his career, allowing him to compete at one of the most ambitious clubs in the Italian league, as he seeks to establish himself as one of the best defenders in Serie A.
Why this matters
Atalanta's signing of Thomas Kristensen is significant as the Danish defender has demonstrated solid performance in Serie A since his arrival from Udinese. With 78 appearances and four goals, Kristensen has proven to be a key player in the defence, and his addition aims to make up for the departure of Berat Djimsiti, who joined Al Diriyah in Saudi Arabia. This move reinforces Atalanta's ambition to maintain a competitive defense in the Italian league.
Main conclusions
- Atalanta closes deal for Thomas Kristensen (22 M€ +.
- Atalanta agrees to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese for €22 million + bonus, on loan with obligation to buy, to replace Djimsiti.
- Done Deal: Kristensen ready for Atalanta at €22m plus bonus - Yahoo Sports.
Atalanta reached an agreement in principle to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese for a base fee of around 22 million euros, plus goal bonuses. According to several Italian media, including Alfredo Pedullà (Sportitalia), Gianluca Di Marzio (Sky Sport Italia) and Fabrizio Romano, the deal is in the final details and will be sealed in the form of a loan with an obligation to purchase at the end of the season, a solution that allows payments to be spread over time.
The final amount should be set at €22 M, plus around €5 M in variables linked to performance, after an initial demand from Udinese in the order of €25 M. The formalities now remain to be finalized so that the dossier is closed, with the expectation that the Danish central defender will soon join the Bergamo squad.
Kristensen, international for Denmark and aged 24, has been at Udinese since the summer of 2023. During this period he played 78 official games for the Friulian team, with four goals scored, establishing himself as a consistent player in the defensive axis of Serie A. The move to Atalanta appears as a natural step in his career, after two seasons of high usage and regular performance in the Italian championship.
Kristensen's arrival is intended to make up for the departure of Berat Djimsiti, who completed a permanent move to Saudi Pro League side Al Diriyah. The loss of the Albanian opened an immediate vacancy in the center of defense, and Bergamo's structure moved quickly to ensure a quality solution for the three-central system, a hallmark of the sporting project that has sustained the club's recent good results.
Still, the strengthening of the sector may not stop there. In Italy, it is suggested that Atalanta could use another central defender until the market closes. One of the names mentioned is Alessio Romagnoli, especially after his transfer to Saudi Arabia failed, a scenario that reopened conversations around the future of the Italian international. For now, there are no indications of agreement, but the dossier remains under observation.
If carried out in the aforementioned manner, Kristensen's deal represents a significant investment in line with Atalanta's sporting policy: ensuring depth and competence in a key sector to compete in the demanding Italian and European season. With an intense calendar and high ambitions, the Bergamo club intends to ensure solid alternatives in the defensive axis, mitigating the departure of a reference like Djimsiti and maintaining the competitiveness that has characterized the team in recent years.
Therefore, only the last bureaucratic details remain to be defined so that Thomas Kristensen can officially wear the Nerazzurri jersey and begin a new stage in Serie A, now at the service of Atalanta.
What happens next
With the deal one step closer to being finalised, Thomas Kristensen is expected to quickly join the Atalanta squad in Bergamo. The loan with obligation to purchase will allow Atalanta to better manage its financial resources as it prepares for next season in Serie A. Furthermore, Atalanta will be able to continue to explore other defensive options, given the interest in Lazio's Alessio Romagnoli.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Thomas Kristensen?
Atalanta have reached an agreement to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese for around 22 million euros, plus goal bonuses.
Who confirmed Thomas Kristensen's transfer?
Several Italian media, including Alfredo Pedullà, Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, confirmed the agreement.
Why have Atalanta signed Kristensen now?
The signing of Kristensen aims to make up for the departure of Berat Djimsiti, who transferred to Al Diriyah.
What changes occurred at Atalanta with Kristensen's arrival?
Kristensen's entry fills the vacancy left by Djimsiti in the center of Atalanta's defense.
What is the deal structure for Kristensen's transfer?
The deal will be carried out
in the form of a loan with an obligation to purchase at the end of the season.