Conor Gallagher joins Atletico Madrid in £34million transfer after England star brutally forced out of Chelsea
ATLETICO MADRID have announced the arrival of Conor Gallagher.
The midfielder has finally completed a £34million switch from Chelsea after being frozen out at Stamford Bridge.
And the Spanish giants announced the capture with a cartoon drawing of an animal, captioning the post: “Beware of the pitbull.”
Gallagher, 24, was subject to a bid from Atletico earlier this month amid interest from Aston Villa.
He even flew to Madrid to finalise the transfer, only for it to collapse as Samu Omorodion turned down the proposed swap deal.
That left Gallagher in limbo and the midfielder was forced to return to London while the clubs thrashed out a deal.
Gallagher had met Atletico chiefs, players and even had a tour of the Metropolitano stadium before flying back.
Chelsea rescued the deal by offering £40m to sign Joao Felix.
Felix arrived in London on Tuesday and underwent a medical ahead of putting pen to paper on a six-year deal, with the option of a further year.
The Blues paid tribute to Gallagher and thanked him for his service following his departure after 18 years at the club.
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Prior to his move Gallagher was placed in Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ – a group of players frozen out as the club tried to find ways to move them on.
The England star was banished from the first-team squad, meaning he was not allowed to train with manager Enzo Maresca or even enter the first-team building.