Franck Kessié has completed a sensational return to Atalanta on a free transfer, just hours after negotiations over a move to Juventus collapsed.
Atalanta officially announced the signing on Saturday, confirming that the 29-year-old Ivory Coast international has agreed a multi-year contract after leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli at the end of his deal.
The move brings Kessié back to Bergamo nine years after leaving the club for AC Milan and represents a dramatic turnaround after Juventus had spent weeks attempting to secure his signature.
Juventus deal collapses at the last minute
Kessié had been in advanced negotiations with Juventus and appeared to be moving towards joining the Turin giants on a free transfer.
His representatives met Juventus officials in Milan earlier this week as the two sides attempted to finalise personal terms.
However, the proposed move unravelled on Saturday morning.
Sky Sport Italia reported that Kessié informed Juventus that the conditions required to complete the agreement were not in place, effectively bringing negotiations to an end.
Atalanta then moved quickly. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the deal was conceived, negotiated and completed within hours as the Bergamo club took advantage of the collapse in talks with Juventus. Roma had also been interested in the midfielder.
Kessié subsequently signed his Atalanta contract on Saturday.
Kessié returns to where his Italian journey began
The move represents a homecoming for Kessié, whose rise to prominence in European football began with Atalanta.
The Bergamo club initially signed him in January 2015 before sending him to Cesena on loan, where he made 37 Serie B appearances and scored four goals.
He returned to Atalanta for the 2016-17 campaign and immediately established himself in Serie A, scoring twice on his league debut against Lazio. He finished that breakthrough season with 31 appearances and seven goals as Atalanta secured fourth place.
His performances earned him a move to AC Milan in 2017, initially on loan before the transfer became permanent.
Kessié went on to make 223 appearances for Milan in all competitions, scoring 37 goals and playing an important role in their 2021-22 Serie A title triumph.
Trophy-laden career brings Kessié back to Bergamo
After leaving Milan in 2022, Kessié joined Barcelona and won LaLiga and the Spanish Super Cup during his spell in Spain.
He moved to Al-Ahli the following year and added a Saudi Super Cup and two AFC Champions League titles to his honours.
Kessié has also enjoyed major success internationally. The Ivory Coast captain has earned more than 100 caps and helped his country win the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024.
He also represented Ivory Coast at this summer’s World Cup, scoring against Germany.
Atalanta have now brought him back to Italy without paying a transfer fee, completing one of the more unexpected moves of the closing days of the summer window.
