Mateo Retegui Completes High-Profile Transfer To Al-Qadsiah From Atalanta

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Mateo Retegui has officially transferred to Al-Qadsiah from Atalanta, signing a four-year deal. The Saudi Pro League club reportedly paid a fee of 65 million plus additional bonuses, making Retegui the most expensive Italian player in history. This surpasses the amount Newcastle United spent on Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, which was around 59 million.

During his single season at Atalanta, Retegui made a significant impact. He was brought in from Genoa to fill in for the injured Gianluca Scamacca and excelled under coach Gian Piero Gasperini. In the 2024-25 Serie A season, he emerged as the top scorer with 25 goals in 36 matches. His ability to score with both feet was notable, as he netted 10 goals each with his right and left foot.

Retegui's goal-scoring prowess was evident last season, where he averaged a goal every 96 minutes in Serie A. His shot conversion rate stood at an impressive 24%, leading all strikers who played over 30 games. This achievement placed him alongside Alessandro Del Piero, who also reached double figures with both feet in a single campaign back in the 2007-08 season.

Retegui's arrival at Al-Qadsiah comes after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's departure to Marseille. Aubameyang had scored 17 goals last season, ranking among the top scorers in the league. Retegui aims to fill this gap and boost Al-Qadsiah's attacking options as they aim for success in the upcoming season.

Before joining Al-Qadsiah, Retegui played 49 matches across all competitions for Atalanta. He scored 28 goals and provided nine assists during his time there. His move is expected to strengthen Al-Qadsiah's squad as they look to improve on their fourth-place finish in the Saudi Pro League last season.

The transfer marks a significant moment for both Retegui and Al-Qadsiah. With his proven track record and scoring ability, Retegui is set to make a substantial impact in the Saudi Pro League. Fans eagerly anticipate how his skills will translate into success for his new team.