Atlético Madrid’s all-time leading scorer Antoine Griezmann is set to bring his European star power to Major League Soccer, joining Orlando City SC at the end of the season, the two clubs confirmed on Tuesday.
The 35-year-old French forward has agreed a two-year deal with the Florida-based club and will officially join them in July 2026, adding another high-profile name to MLS following former Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
“Atletico granted Griezmann permission to travel to Orlando during the team’s brief rest period to finalize his contract,” the Spanish club said in a statement. “He is one of the most gifted, accomplished, and influential players of his generation, and his decision to choose Orlando City reflects the mission and culture of our club.”
Griezmann leaves Atlético after 10 seasons, during which he scored a record 211 goals in 488 appearances, surpassing the previous club record of 173 set by Luis Aragonés. The forward joined the Madrid side from Real Sociedad in 2014, spent a two-year stint at Barcelona, and returned on loan in 2021 before making the move permanent.
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A 2018 World Cup winner with France, Griezmann retired from international football in 2024, finishing with 44 goals in 137 caps for Les Bleus. This season, he has scored 13 goals in 43 appearances under Diego Simeone, helping Atlético secure a comfortable position in La Liga while preparing for the Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona and the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on April 18 in Seville.
Orlando City, who have competed in MLS since 2015 and have yet to lift the MLS Cup, see Griezmann as a transformational signing. “Our focus is on consistently building a championship-caliber roster every year, and adding a world-class player like Antoine reinforces that commitment,” said Orlando City owner Mark Wilf.
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As Griezmann prepares for the next chapter of his storied career in Florida, fans on both sides of the Atlantic will be watching closely to see how the veteran forward adapts to MLS — and whether he can help Orlando City finally claim its first league title.
