Atletico Madrid are making significant moves in the transfer market, balancing potential departures with high-calibre reinforcements. Historically, the Rojiblancos have often been left short of options at left-back, a position that has long been a priority for the club's hierarchy.

While the 'Colchoneros' were heavily linked with Marc Cucurella, his decision to join Real Madrid forced the board to pivot. Their attention quickly turned to another Spanish international and a direct rival for the national team jersey: Alejandro Grimaldo.

Atleti officially confirmed the capture of the B. Leverkusen star this Tuesday. He has committed to a four-year contract, keeping him at the Metropolitano until 2030, with the transfer fee understood to be in the region of 20 million euros.

Grimaldo’s contract with the German outfit ran until 2027, but the defender had made no secret of his desire to return to his homeland. His three seasons in the Bundesliga cemented his status as one of Europe’s most prolific attacking full-backs; he departs Germany having racked up 145 appearances, 30 goals, and 41 assists.

Alejandro Grimaldo Atletico Madrid

The soul of a winger and a wand of a left foot

Grimaldo is far from a conventional left-back. While he never shies away from his defensive duties, the Valencia native operates with the flair of a winger. He is a modern defender who prioritises the forward phase, always eager to exploit the flank and bolster the attack.

Such attributes align seamlessly with Diego Pablo Simeone's tactical blueprint. The manager has long favoured high-energy wide players with these specific traits—drawing parallels with Marcos Llorente on the right or Ruggeri on the left. Crucially, Grimaldo brings an elite specialty to the table: his dead-ball delivery.

Left-footed specialists of his calibre are a rare commodity in the modern market. His ball-striking is a formidable weapon, and he is expected to immediately assume set-piece duties for his new side.

The Spaniard arrives with an impressive portfolio of direct free-kick goals. Throughout his professional career for club and country, he has found the net 57 times, with 12 of those strikes coming directly from free-kicks.

During the 2025-26 campaign, Grimaldo registered 14 goals, five of which were direct free-kicks—making him the only player in his squad to convert from such positions. Across his three years in Germany, nine of his goals came from dead-ball situations, accounting for 30% of his total goals for the club.

The official statement from Atletico:

"Atletico de Madrid and B. Leverkusen have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alejandro Grimaldo, who signs with our club until 30 June 2030.

A versatile left-back who can also operate as a wing-back, midfielder, or even an attacking midfielder, he excels through his technique and vision, allowing him to contribute to the attack with ease through goals and assists.

Born on 20 September 1995 in Valencia, Grimaldo developed through the youth ranks at Atletico Vallbonense, Valencia CF, and FC Barcelona, joining Benfica from the latter's B team in December 2015. With the Lisbon club, he played 303 matches, scored 27 goals, and provided 66 assists over seven and a half seasons, winning four league titles, three Super Cups, one Cup, and one League Cup in Portugal.

In the summer of 2023, he joined B. Leverkusen, making 145 appearances. Scoring 30 goals and providing 45 assists, he was a key figure in the German side's historic 2023/24 double-winning campaign in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal—as well as reaching the UEFA Europa League final—and the German Super Cup victory at the start of the following season.

A youth international for Spain, he was crowned U19 European Champion in 2012, with his progress leading to his senior debut on 16 November 2023. He debuted in a 1-3 victory for Spain in Cyprus during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, a tournament he went on to play in and win two summers ago. A success he now hopes to replicate at the 2026 World Cup."

01 Jul2026	B. Leverkusen	Atlético de Madrid	€15M
01 Jul2023	Benfica	B. Leverkusen	Carta Libertad
01 Jan2016	Barça Atlètic	Benfica	€2M
01 Jul2012	Barcelona U19	Barça Atlètic	-
01 Jul2011	Barcelona U16	Barcelona U19	-
01 Jul2009	Barcelona Academy	Barcelona U16	-

A. Grimaldo

Transfer History