Atletico Madrid Completes Signing Of Scudetto-Winning Striker Giacomo Raspadori From Napoli

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Atletico Madrid has strengthened its squad with the acquisition of Giacomo Raspadori from Napoli. The Italian striker signed a five-year contract, marking Atletico's 10th signing this transfer window. The club paid a reported fee of €26 million for Raspadori, enhancing Diego Simeone's attacking options. Atletico aims to improve on last season's performance, where they finished third in LaLiga and faced early exits in various competitions.

The 25-year-old forward had an impressive stint at Napoli, scoring six goals in 26 Serie A matches last season. Only Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay scored more for the team. Since joining Napoli in 2022-23, initially on loan, Raspadori netted 13 goals in 89 league appearances, starting only 35 times. He averaged a goal every 278 minutes over his time there.

Raspadori has also been influential on the international stage with Italy. Since his debut in June 2021, he has made 40 appearances and scored nine goals, more than any other player for Italy during this period. He was part of the squad that won Euro 2020, further highlighting his contributions to the national team.

Atletico Madrid's pre-season ended on a high note with a victory over Newcastle United. They are set to begin their LaLiga campaign against Espanyol on August 17. This match will be crucial as they aim to start the season strongly after their summer signings.

This transfer window has seen Atletico Madrid focusing on Serie A talent. Alongside Raspadori, they have secured Matteo Ruggeri and Juan Musso from Atalanta. These additions reflect the club's strategy to bolster their squad with experienced players from Italy's top league.

Raspadori's proficiency extends beyond regular play; he is notable for his free-kick abilities. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, only Cristiano Biraghi and Dusan Vlahovic have surpassed him in direct free-kick goals in Serie A. With just nine attempts, he scored twice from free-kicks during this period.

The club is keen to leverage Raspadori’s skills as they prepare for a challenging season ahead. His addition is expected to provide more depth and versatility to Atletico’s attacking lineup as they strive for success domestically and internationally.