Atletico Madrid have taken a major step towards strengthening their midfield with a €45 million agreement to sign Sporting CP captain Morten Hjulmand. The Danish international is set to become a key figure in Diego Simeone’s revamped squad at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Deal sealed for the Danish midfielder

The transfer between Sporting CP and Atletico Madrid for Morten Hjulmand has been fully agreed upon. The 27-year-old midfielder will travel to Spain today for his medical examination before officially signing with the La Liga club, concluding his successful period in Portugal.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Atletico will pay a guaranteed €40 million, with an additional €5 million in performance-related add-ons.

Farewell to Lisbon

Hjulmand’s exit brings an end to a remarkable chapter at Estadio Jose Alvalade. Since joining from Italian club Lecce three years ago, the Danish midfielder has become the heartbeat of Sporting’s midfield. During his time in Lisbon, he made 141 appearances, scored 10 goals, and provided 12 assists, helping the team win two league titles and a Taca de Portugal.

As reported by A Bola, even after completing his medical in Madrid, Hjulmand is expected to return briefly to Lisbon. This visit will give him the chance to personally bid farewell to his teammates and the coaching staff who played a vital role in his rise to prominence as one of Europe’s most sought-after defensive midfielders.

Long-term contract confirmed

Final negotiations between the two clubs were concluded after discussions in Madrid involving Hjulmand’s representatives. These meetings resolved issues related to payment structures and the FIFA solidarity mechanism. The Danish captain is set to sign a long-term deal with Atletico Madrid, keeping him at the club until June 2031.

A tactical boost for Simeone

For manager Diego Simeone, bringing in Hjulmand provides a powerful and composed presence in central midfield. Standing 185 cm tall, the Dane combines physical strength with composure and technical quality on the ball. His leadership, which earned him the captain’s armband at Sporting, is seen as a crucial addition to Atletico’s dressing room as they aim to compete for major trophies next season. The move also ends speculation linking Hjulmand with Premier League side Manchester United and Serie A giants AC Milan, both of whom had shown interest in him in recent transfer windows.