Orlando City Secures Major Signing of French Football Icon Antoine Griezmann
In a landmark announcement, Orlando City has confirmed the acquisition of French football legend Antoine Griezmann. The World Cup-winning forward, aged 35, has committed to a two-year contract that will extend through the 2027-28 season, with the club holding an option for an additional year in the 2028-29 campaign.
Transfer Details and Conditions
The agreement is subject to several critical conditions, including Griezmann successfully passing a medical examination, obtaining his International Transfer Certificate, and securing a P-1 visa. Once these formalities are completed, the French international will conclude the current season with his present club, Atlético Madrid, and officially join Orlando City when the summer transfer window opens on July 13.
Griezmann's Enthusiasm for the Move
Expressing his excitement about the transition, Griezmann stated, "I am very excited to begin this next chapter of my career with Orlando City. From my first conversations with the Club, I could feel a strong ambition and a clear vision for the future, and that really spoke to me. I look forward to making Orlando my new home, meeting the supporters, feeling the energy at Inter&Co Stadium, and giving everything I have to help the team achieve great things."
Illustrious Career and Achievements
Griezmann boasts an impressive football career, highlighted by winning the FIFA World Cup with France in 2018 and finishing as runner-up in 2022. He initially joined Atlético Madrid from Real Sociedad in 2014, where he secured three trophies, most notably the Europa League in 2018. In 2019, his transfer to Barcelona for £107 million made him the world's sixth most expensive signing at that time, before he returned to Atlético Madrid in 2021.
Additionally, Griezmann achieved third-place finishes in the Ballon d’Or awards in both 2016 and 2018. He retired from international football in September 2024 after earning 137 caps for the French national team, marking the end of a distinguished era in his career.
