Atletico Madrid signs young Italian left back Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta
The 22-year-old defender will arrive on a five-year contract, Atletico said.
Financial details of the transfer were not immediately disclosed.
Ruggeri came through Atalanta's youth system and made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old in a Champions League match against Liverpool in 2020.
Atletico said Ruggeri is a left back 'with good crossing ability and great stamina.'
He spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Salernitana and returned to Atalanta the following season to establish himself as an important piece for coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Ruggeri was included in UEFA's Europa League Team of the Season in 2023-24.
He was an international at all youth levels for Italy and was called up to the senior squad in March for the Nations League quarterfinal against Germany.
Atletico has already parted ways with three defensive players from last season's squad: Reinildo, Axel Witsel and Cesar Azpilicueta.
Diego Simeone's team was eliminated in the group stage of the Club World Cup that is being played in the United States. It finished third in the Spanish league, behind Real Madrid and champion Barcelona.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Bellinghams are most highly-coveted brothers in the game
Jude and Jobe Bellingham became the first brothers ever to both score at a Club World Cup last weekend - and their combined market value is currently an eye-watering €207 million, according to Playmaker. Signed by Borussia Dortmund this summer, Jobe scored on his first start for 'BWB' in the Bundesliga side's 4-3 win over Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday before big brother Jude hit the target for Real Madrid in Los Blancos' 3-1 success over Pachuca on Sunday. Advertisement The comparisons between the brothers are inevitable, particularly given the fact that Jude also scored on his first start for Dortmund back in 2020 when he netted in a 5-0 German Cup win over Duisburg. With older brother Jude now valued by Playmaker at a whopping €185m and Jobe given a market price of €22m, the Bellinghams are certainly hot property - and they are currently the most highly coveted brothers in the business. World's most highly-valued brothers (based on Playmaker valuations) Here is the podium for superstar brothers as it currently stands: The Bellinghams (combined market value of €207 million) Advertisement Having both come through the Birmingham City academy, the Bellingham brothers have both been on a stratospheric career path from their early teens - and Jobe's summer move to Dortmund from Sunderland paves the way for him to elevate his game to another level in the Bundesliga next term. Still only 21, Jude Bellingham has established himself as a dyed-in-the-wool Galactico at Real Madrid and it will be interesting to see if 19-year-old Jobe can progress into the senior England squad and play with his brother on the international stage soon. Since the 1950s, only three sets of brothers have played for the Three Lions: Nathaniel Chalobah and Trevoh Chalobah, Gary Neville and Phil Neville, and Bobby and Jack Charlton. The Mbappés (combined market value of €185 million) He made something of a slow start, and failed to win any major trophies, during his first season at Real Madrid, but Kylian Mbappé is still generally regarded as one of, if not the, best player in the world and 45 goals in 53 games for Los Blancos underlined his stellar ability. Former PSG academy graduate Ethan, in contrast, is very much in the process of making his name - the midfielder making 10 appearances for Lille in Ligue 1 last term. Kylian's market value of €180m does most of the heavy lifting in terms of this valuable pair - but Ethan's value has climbed to €5m on the back of his progress last term. The Thurams (combined market value of €121 million) Advertisement A more evenly-balanced pair of superstar brothers sits third in our list of 'Galactico Bros': Marcus and Khephren Thuram. Both capped at senior level by France, Inter powerhouse Marcus and Juventus midfielder Khephren both came from good stock given their father Lilian was a World Cup winner and enjoyed a glittering club career for the likes of Monaco, Juventus and Barcelona. Valued at €79m by playmaker, Marcus hit 18 goals from Champions League finalists Inter last term, while Khephren - who has a market value of €42m - played 49 games for Juve in his first season in Turin. The brothers have actually played against each other on three occasions in their older brother Marcus yet to finish on the winning side!
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Jo Adell's go-ahead double
14 Teams Confirmed For 2025-26 Continental Cup The IIHF Continental Cup has announced its field of competitors for the 2025-26 season. The tournament will include 14 teams – down from 20 in each of the last three seasons – and will be staged in three rounds instead of four. 2:38 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Juve want Samu, Milan chase Javi Guerra, Napoli eye Lucca, Calha 🤑
The sports season concludes today, June 30, as do some contracts. Negotiations are in full swing and many clubs are working on incoming and outgoing deals to define purchases and sales for the next season. Let's discover the most important news of the day. Juventus, eyes on Omorodion and Ambriz Juventus is preparing to face Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Club World Cup, but is also taking advantage of the competition to scout new market profiles. As reported by Tuttosport, the Bianconeri have set their sights on Samu Omorodion, a striker who has already left the tournament with Porto. His price tag is high, but he remains a concrete target. Advertisement Also according to Tuttosport, Fidel Ambriz, a midfielder from Monterrey, and the left-back from Palmeiras, Joaquín Piquerez, are also liked. Juventus is closely following these talents, considering significant investments to strengthen the squad for the next season. Milan, Guerra in the middle of the field After closing for Luka Modric and blocking Samuele Ricci and Ardon Jashari, Milan is considering the opportunity to engage Granit Xhaka. The club is not convinced to commit economically for another over 30, especially after the heavy engagement of the Croatian. As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the pressure on Javi Guerra is intensifying. The Rossoneri club has made a first offer of 20 million, which was refused. But Milan is ready to raise the bid, increasing the proposal between 20 and 25 million to bring the young midfielder to the Rossoneri. Inter, negotiations continue with Galatasaray for Calhanoglu Compared to last year, when Inter quickly denied Bayern's interest in Hakan Calhanoglu, now there is silence. As reported by Tuttosport, the Turkish midfielder could really leave Milan. Galatasaray is pressing, but there is still a certain distance between demand and offer. Advertisement The sale of Calhanoglu would allow Inter to save about 26 million euros, considering his salary of 6.5 million per season. Galatasaray is firm at 15 million, while the Nerazzurri are asking for a figure between 25 and 30 million. Napoli, Lucca closer According to La Repubblica, Napoli is close to closing for Lorenzo Lucca, striker of Udinese. The Partenopeo club has accelerated contacts and aims to bring him to Dimaro already for the start of the retreat. However, the negotiation is linked to Liverpool's response for Darwin Nunez. Despite the English club asking for 60 million for the Uruguayan, Napoli has not yet completely given up. However, Antonio Conte wants to have a deputy for Lukaku as soon as possible, and the Lucca option is becoming more and more concrete. Roma, target Kenneth Taylor Roma is looking at the incoming market with the name of Kenneth Taylor in mind. The Ajax midfielder, born in 2002 and number 10 of the Dutch Under 21, is among Massara's targets. As reported by Sportmediaset, Roma will try to beat the competition to secure the talent. Advertisement Taylor closed last season with 15 goals and 8 assists, numbers that explain the interest of the Giallorossi club. Ajax asks for 20 million to let him go, and Roma will evaluate whether to strike the blow in the next few days. Lazio, the price of Cancellieri Matteo Cancellieri was not redeemed by Parma, despite a good season. Back at Lazio, according to Il Messaggero, he has attracted the interest of Cagliari and Torino. The Biancoceleste club is willing to sell, but only definitively and for a figure between 10 and 15 million euros. Lazio is also considering the possible sale of Noslin, but Cancellieri remains the easiest profile to place. After two good loan experiences, the young winger could soon leave the Capital for a new adventure. Fiorentina, Sohm is a concrete track Fiorentina continues to look at Parma to strengthen the midfield. After Adrian Bernabè, now the name of Simon Sohm has risen in preferences. According to Corriere dello Sport, the Viola club considers the Swiss midfielder more accessible, valued between 10 and 12 million. Advertisement Sohm, born in 2001, has defensive characteristics but still managed to score four goals last season. His contract expires in 2027 and the engagement is contained, making him an interesting option for the Viola midfield. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here. 📸 MIGUEL RIOPA - AFP or licensors