Atlético Madrid have officially announced the signing of Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen, bolstering their options at left-back under Diego Simeone. The Spanish club reached an agreement with Leverkusen for a transfer fee of €15 million plus bonuses, with Grimaldo signing a contract that runs until June 30, 2030, the club confirmed.
The move sees Grimaldo return to La Liga after two successful seasons in Germany. Prior to joining Bayer Leverkusen, the Valencia native had reportedly attracted interest from Juventus. Atlético Madrid are acquiring a seasoned player known for his all-around abilities and impact in both attack and defense.
Grimaldo is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted full-backs in European football, praised for his close control and ability to create scoring opportunities. The versatile defender is capable of playing as a traditional left-back or a wing-back, offering tactical flexibility. Born in Valencia on September 20, 1995, Grimaldo progressed through the youth ranks of Atlético Vallbonense, Valencia, and Barcelona. He left Barcelona in December 2015 to join Benfica, where he enjoyed a prolific spell.
During his time in Lisbon, Grimaldo made 303 appearances, scoring 27 goals and providing 66 assists. He won four league titles, three Super Cups, one Portuguese Cup, and one League Cup with Benfica. In the summer of 2023, Grimaldo moved to Bayer Leverkusen and quickly became a key player under Xabi Alonso. He featured in 145 matches, scoring 30 goals and registering 45 assists, playing a pivotal role in Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal triumphs in the 2023/24 season, as well as reaching the UEFA Europa League final. He also added the German Super Cup to his honours. His strong performances led to a debut for the Spanish national team on November 16, 2023, in a 3-1 victory over Cyprus, and he was part of the Spain squad that won Euro 2024. This transfer provides Atlético Madrid with a dynamic and experienced full-back capable of contributing immediately to Simeone’s squad.
