Atlético Madrid have completed the signing of Morten Hjulmand from Sporting Portugal, the Spanish club confirmed on Saturday morning. The Danish defensive midfielder has signed a contract with the Colchoneros that runs until 2031. Atlético Madrid have paid a fee of €45 million for the 27-year-old player.
The move for Hjulmand represents a significant investment for Atlético, known for their typically pragmatic and defensively solid approach under Diego Simeone. While not a household name, Hjulmand has established himself as a key player in midfield for Sporting, providing a strong shield for the defense and demonstrating good passing range. He made 35 appearances across all competitions for Sporting last season.
Hjulmand’s international career is still developing, having made his debut for Denmark in September 2023 in a 4-0 victory over San Marino. Atlético’s announcement highlighted this debut, though it’s unlikely to be the defining moment supporters remember. He will be hoping to secure a more prominent role in the national team setup following his move to a major European league.
The transfer addresses a need for midfield reinforcement at Atlético, as Simeone looks to build upon their consistent challenge at the top of La Liga. The club finished fourth last season, and will be aiming to close the gap on Real Madrid and Barcelona. Hjulmand’s arrival provides competition for places and adds depth to the squad, increasing their chances of success both domestically and in European competition. This signing signals Atlético’s intent to remain competitive despite operating with a different financial structure than some of their rivals.
