Julián Álvarez has finalized his £81 million transfer to Atlético Madrid.
The Argentina international departs from Manchester City after signing a five-year contract with the LaLiga giants.
Álvarez joined City in 2022 for a modest £14 million, and the club will now earn approximately six times that amount from his sale.
“Today I say goodbye to this amazing club, with a lot of emotion. These have been two very special years,” he said in a lengthy goodbye on the club’s website.
Álvarez further expressed, “During this time, I have grown and learnt a lot – both as a player and as a person.
“To the directors and the technical staff, thank you for your confidence and support. Your teachings and vision have helped me to develop so much.
“To my teammates, thank you for every moment we have shared, for the effort and dedication in every training session and every match. I have learnt a lot from each and every one of you and I remain with memories and friendships that will last forever.
“To the fans, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the great support and for making me feel at home from the very first day. I will always be extremely proud to have been part of this family.
“Manchester City will always have a special place in my heart. I wish you every success in the future and I will keep on supporting the club wherever I may be.”
The 24-year-old played a key role in helping Manchester City secure a treble in his debut season with the club and contributed to another Premier League title in the following season.
He is also a World Cup winner and a two-time Copa América champion with Argentina.
Álvarez was eager to leave the Etihad in pursuit of more regular first-team football.
He said: “I haven’t stopped to think about what I’m going to do.
“Last season I was one of the players who played the most minutes in the team.
“But it’s true, in the end, in some important games, it’s not pleasant to be left out. I will have time to consider my decision.
“I haven’t stopped to think things through calmly. Once the Olympic Games are over, I will take the time to reflect on what I want for myself.
“It can be frustrating to miss out on big games; players always want to contribute on the pitch.”
Since arriving at City, Álvarez has netted 36 goals in 103 appearances and has provided 18 assists.
