Atletico Madrid reach deal to sign Argentina star Thiago Almada

The Argentina international has spent the second half of the 2024–25 season on loan at French club Lyon

Argentina's Thiago Almada celebrates scoring their first goal in World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Argentina v Colombia - Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina - Jun 10, 2025. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

Atletico Madrid has reached an agreement with Botafogo to sign Thiago Almada, ESPN reports.

After joining Botafogo in 2024, the Argentina international spent the second half of the 2024–25 season on loan at French club Lyon.

The midfielder played for Atlanta United in Major League Soccer and was also a member of Argentina's team at the 2022 World Cup.

The 24-year-old started 11 games and scored twice in his 20 outings for Lyon across all competitions while on loan. He also contributed four assists.

Almada will now join Spanish giants Atletico, subject to a successful medical.

He will be Atletico's third summer acquisition after Matteo Ruggeri and Alex Baena, who came from Atalanta and Villarreal, respectively.