After a rollercoaster cycle of rumors saw the club linked with Theo Hernández, Andy Robertson, and Lucas Digne, Atlético Madrid have decided to sign Matteo Ruggeri as Diego Simeone’s new left-back.
According to multiple reports on Thursday, Atlético have reached full agreement with Atalanta on a permanent transfer for Italy under-21s international Ruggeri. David Medina, who first broke news of Atleti’s interest in Ruggeri for Marca, reported that the 22-year-old will sign a five-year contract after the clubs agreed a €17 million fee; Matteo Moretto reported that Ruggeri’s medical is set for Friday. The deal could be wrapped up over the weekend.
Why Ruggeri?
Moretto said Thursday that Ruggeri was Atlético’s third-choice option for the left-back position, which has been in obvious need of reinforcement for months.
Earlier this year, Atlético wanted to sign Álvaro Carreras of Benfica, but the Portuguese giants’ asking price was deemed too high. Theo then became the top target, but Atleti backed out of that deal amid fan outcry online, given the player’s Real Madrid past. Robertson, entering the last year of his Liverpool contract, is expendable on Merseyside after the Reds signed Milos Kerkez on Thursday; though he would have come cheaper than Ruggeri, at 31 he is older than the players he would have been signed to replace.
Simeone’s incumbent starter Javi Galán struggled at the FIFA Club World Cup, in which Atleti were eliminated at the group stage. His backup Reinildo Mandava is out of contract in a few days. Neither player is likely to be retained next season.
What Ruggeri can offer
Ruggeri is an unusual player at left-back. A terrific crosser with a powerful gait, Ruggeri stands 6’2’’ and has the versatility to play in a line of four or a line of five.
As you might imagine, Ruggeri’s athletic stride makes him a good carrier and an ace at recovering the football; thanks to his height and jumping reach, he won more than 60 percent of his aerial duels in Serie A last season.
Atletitico Madrid seal a deal for Matteo Ruggeri from Atalanta
The 23-year-old LB (who can also play wingback) looks like a smart long-term option.
Feels like a more future-proof & cost-effective move than going for an aging Andrew Robertson. pic.twitter.com/quKqxgy9Rz
— Sahil Gidwani (@sahilgdwn) June 26, 2025
Though former boss Gian Piero Gasperini did not prefer him against every opponent (he started 19 times in Serie A last season), Ruggeri compiled seven assists from left-back in a high-powered Atalanta team that is set to play Champions League football for the second successive season. Furthermore, Ruggeri was a key player during Atalanta’s victorious Europa League campaign in 2024, even scoring a delicious right-footed goal in the first leg of the semifinal against Olympique Marseille.
“He is accustomed to a high-intensity, back-and-forth game with constant pressing (Made in Atalanta),” wrote DAZN’s Serie A expert José Rodríguez. “He often drives forward with the ball, is capable of cutting inside, and he delivers good crosses on the run. He isn’t outstanding in any one area, but he’s solid in almost every aspect.”
This is the kind of signing that Atlético should be making — even if he wasn’t the club’s ideal choice. This is one of the oldest squads in elite European football; Simeone last season routinely trotted out lineups with an average age close to 29 years. To rejuvenate the squad, director of football Carlos Bucero needs to acquire younger players with high resale value and room to grow. That involves risk, and Atleti generally can be described as “risk-averse” in the market.
Ruggeri turns 23 next month, making him one of the team’s youngest players and indeed its youngest defender. Alongside fellow summer arrivals Álex Baena and Johnny Cardoso, it is hoped that Ruggeri forms part of a new core at Atleti with Pablo Barrios, Giuliano Simeone, and Julián Alvarez — players who are all 25 years old or younger.
Radar overlay of Ruggeri, Galán, Reinildo
DataMB
Speaking of risk, though — it is probably worth mentioning that earlier this month, some Atalanta supporters hung a banner outside the team’s training ground aimed squarely at Ruggeri. The sign read: “Ruggeri: Less alcohol, less women, more heart for The Goddess.”
Given that Ruggeri is 22 going on 23, it wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that he enjoys partying. And there is no shortage of nighttime activities on offer in Madrid. It’s an extracurricular activity he will have to curb though if he’s going to be a success at Atlético de Madrid and the team’s long-awaited heir to Filipe Luis.
A banner aimed at Matteo Ruggeri has been left outside of the Atalanta training ground this morning.
"Ruggeri: less alcohol - less women - more heart for the goddess"
CalcioAtalanta pic.twitter.com/iDB8RCtB9W
— Atalanta BC News (@AtalantaBC_News) June 5, 2025