Saúl Ñíguez Ends Atlético Madrid Journey After 17 Years, Set for Trabzonspor Switch

Long-serving Atlético Madrid midfielder Saúl Ñíguez has ended his contract with the Spanish club after 17 years. The 30-year-old is expected to sign a four-year deal with Turkish side Trabzonspor. He will be one of the league’s big signings this summer.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Saúl Ñíguez and Atlético Madrid agreed to end his contract early. It was supposed to last until 2026. This follows a season where Saúl was on loan at Sevilla, looking for more playing time. His departure helps Atlético lower their salary expenses, as Saúl had one of the highest wages in the team, roughly €7 million annually. After 17 years, starting from Atlético’s youth system, Saúl now leaves Spain for a new challenge in Turkey.

According to reports, Atlético Madrid has been active in reshaping their squad this summer.

SAÚL’S LEGACY AT ATLÉTICO

Saúl played in over 300 matches for Atlético Madrid, winning big titles like LaLiga and the Europa League. In recent years, his role decreased, leading to loans at Chelsea and Sevilla. Last season at Sevilla, he struggled to regularly start but was respected for his hard work and tactical skills. Atlético Madrid finished third in La Liga last season, qualifying for the Champions League but not challenging for the title again as confirmed by various sources.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR SAÚL AND TRABZONSPOR?

Saúl is set to sign a four-year contract with Trabzonspor, earning about €3.5 million plus bonuses each year. The Turkish Süper Lig club sees him as a key player for their midfield restructure. Trabzonspor finished fourth in the Turkish Süper Lig last season, just behind the top teams, earning a Europa League spot. They will face Sivasspor, who finished sixth last year, in their first match of the 2025/26 league season. Saúl is expected to be officially announced next week and will join preseason training soon after as reported.