Atletico Madrid have announced the club record €126 million signing of Benfica attacker Joao Felix. The 19-year-old Portugal international has signed a seven-year contract keeping him at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano until June 2026 and will be wearing the shirt number 7.
The transfer fee means Felix becomes the fifth most expensive player of all time, and only the second most expensive teenager behind Kylian Mbappe, who cost Paris Saint-Germain £165m last summer.
In a statement, Benfica confirmed Atletico will pay €30m upfront but will pay the rest in instalments after bidding €6m more than Felix's release clause of £107.6m (€120m).
The Spanish side announced the signing of the highly-rated 19-year-old midfielder through a video posted on their official Twitter feed, reading "welcome Joao Felix, pure talent."
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Felix drew attention from a host of top European clubs after impressing last season with 20 goals in 43 competitive matches for Benfica and earning a call-up to the Portugal squad which triumphed in the inaugural Nations League finals.
He made his competitive debut in August after having joined from Porto's youth system in 2015.
Felix's move becomes Atletico's club-record transfer beating the £62m they spent on Thomas Lemar last summer - as star striker Antoine Griezmann remains poised to leave the club after announcing his desire to move in May.
basically
4068
Neymar can tell you that it's never easy to become next CR7 or LM10...
Chipst100
1174
Atletico Madrid just spent arsenal transfer budget for the next 5 years
Braddy
1086
What's football now? Where you pay 200k per week for a 21 year old Where you pay 126million for a 19 year old
Gunners4ever❤
228
Time flies so quickly...
Jadmortyz
157
well I won't say it is waste of money but before a player is signed at that price that means he has a lot of good to give out so let's pray and also believe he will give his best
canbdkmrt
143
This kid is barely worth 50 Euros, why the hell did Athletico fork out 126. haven't they learned from other teams that expensive fowards don't leave up to the expectations. Neymar, Bale, Dembele, Coutinho
KeepGen
105
In todays market, if you score 5+ goals then you cost 30m or more. Neymar cause this transfer inflation, the only visible thing neymar contribute for football apart from his divings and disrespect show boating.
CriticalThinker
93
And still arsenal are are hoping to sign Messi for €30m😃😃😃
Mosanya
75
Good Luck Felix, you are a talented and Incredible player and a place like atletico will make you more experienced and known in football, you will succeed there, because you are young and will have a lot to offer to the club, good luck Felix.
niwdeklnpu
69
wow a.madrid just signed a young and talented player.There is a reason why the 19 year old's release clause was 126m euros its because he is worth it. congrats to a.madrid they know exactly what they are doing.
Braddy
62
Joao Felix at 19 : Fifth Most Expensive player in history Second Most Expensive teenager of all time Most Expensive Player to leave Premiera Liga What a career ahead of him 😯
Flaw
49
Sorry to say this but This Boy wont shine now Atletico need to sign someone more versetile if they dont They will be like Madrid last season This boy will still need to adapt to La Liga a big league than Primera Division They need someone to score goals :Griezz Replacement
Liybilmnsz
42
as future is uncertain flexi could achieve great heights at atletico madrid but at the moment signing james Rodriguez was a best option signing youngster is best but to fill the void of girrezman. james is only the person who could fill that
montestiokah
42
He will nvr reach ronaldos accomplishments
Piyush_24
36
Considering they got €70m from sale of Rodri, it's a reasonable net expenditure Atleti made considering the current scenario of transfer market. Hopefully the youngster does well and doesn't fall under the burden of being "next Ronaldo" because there cannot be another one.