Atalanta and Orlando City have struck a €1m agreement for Luis Muriel to swap Serie A for Major League Soccer. La Dea director Luca Percassi has confirmed the Colombian forward should become the new Orlando player within the next few hours.
“Let’s say the transfer should be completed over the next few hours,” Percassi told DAZN (via TMW), explaining Muriel’s omission for Sunday’s encounter against Genoa. Despite his absence, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side ran riot at Luigi Ferraris, humbling Alberto Gilardino’s men 4-1 in a game highlighted by Charles De Ketelaere’s stunner.
Back to Muriel – he became the club’s most expensive signing in 2019 when Atalanta splashed out €21.2m to bring him back to Serie A from Sevilla. During his five-year stint in Bergamo, he has earned a status as a cult hero, helping La Dea secure Champions League football and establish themselves as a permanent top-half fixture.
In total, Muriel tallied 68 goals in 164 appearances for Atalanta. However, recurring injury problems and lack of match fitness have seen him fall out of favor with Gasperini this season. Mainly used as a substitute, the 32-year-old has racked up six goals and one assist across 25 matches in all competitions.
After tumbling down the pecking order at the Gewiss Stadium, the time has come for Muriel to wave goodbye to Atalanta. He’ll embark on a new adventure across the ocean, following in the footsteps of former Serie A icon Kaka, who was the first major European star to don the Orlando shirt.
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