Goodby Camp Nou, Hello Wanda; Luis Suárez leaves Barcelona For Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid have signed striker Luis Suárez from Barcelona, bringing an end to his six-year stint at Camp Nou.
Barcelona confirmed the move on Twitter.
Barça’s statement said Atlético will pay the Catalans six million euros ($7 million) in bonus payments to sign the 33-year-old.
The Uruguay striker, who leaves as Barça’s third all-time highest goal scorer, had a year left on his contract with the club.
Suárez will replace Álvaro Morata in Atlético’s front line after the Spanish striker was loaned to Juventus for a season with an option to buy.
The Uruguayan was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Ronald Koeman, who is keen on changing the old guard and rebuilding the squad, with 33-year-old midfielder Arturo Vidal also completing a permanent move to Inter Milan.
Suárez becomes the third striker in recent years to switch between the two LaLiga clubs after David Villa was sold to Atletico in 2013 while Antoine Griezmann moved to Barca last year.
While Villa became an instant hit, scoring 13 goals in Atlético’s 2013-14 league title-winning campaign, Griezmann has yet to hit the same heights at Barca following his 120 million euros ($140.86 million) move.
Suárez gave his farewell press conference today and it was a very emotional one.
What do you make of this move? For a Striker of Suarez’s pedigree, will Barcelona regret letting him go?
