Mateo Retegui Signs for Al Qadsiah in Record €65m Move from Atalanta

Al Qadsiah have signed Italian striker Mateo Retegui from Atalanta for a fee of €65 million. This big move will be officially announced soon. Retegui, who scored 25 goals in 36 Serie A games for Atalanta, will join the Saudi Pro League with a lucrative long-term contract.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The 26-year-old striker will join Al Qadsiah after just one season with Atalanta. Al Qadsiah will pay between €65 million and €70 million for the transfer, making it one of the most expensive deals in the club’s history. Retegui has agreed to a contract worth €20 million per season, which is six times the salary he was previously earning. He has already completed his medical exam and will be unveiled alongside new arrivals like Nacho and Koen Casteels.

IMPACT AT ATALANTA AND AL QADSIAH

Retegui leaves Atalanta after a breakout year in which he finished as one of Serie A‘s top scorers. In his 65 Serie A matches with Genoa and Atalanta, he scored 32 goals, becoming one of Europe’s most promising strikers. Last season, Atalanta finished third in Serie A and qualified for the Champions League. Al Qadsiah were promoted to the Saudi Pro League but struggled in the first several weeks of the new season, but still managed to finish close to the top spots of the league. Retegui’s arrival is seen as a move by the club to climb the Saudi league standings.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

Retegui is expected to play his first game for Al Qadsiah in the next league match against Al-Ittihad, who are only a point behind them in the standings. As the Saudi Pro League season has just begun, Al Qadsiah are hoping that Retegui’s scoring abilities will help them quickly climb the table.