Barcelona, Jan 20 (AP) Netherlands striker Memphis Depay will join Atletico Madrid from Spanish league rival Barcelona after the Catalan club said Friday it had reached a deal to sell the player.

Depay had already trained with Atlético on Thursday with permission from Barcelona.

Also Read | IND vs NZ 2nd ODI 2023 Preview: Likely Playing XIs, Key Battles, Head to Head and Other Things You Need To Know About India vs New Zealand Cricket Match in Raipur.

Barcelona said Atletico had agreed to pay 3 million euros ($3.25 million) with a possible 1 million euros ($1.08 million) more in add-ons. Depay agreed to a contract that will keep him in the capital for next two-and-a-half years, Atlético said.

As part of the deal, Barcelona also secured an option to buy Atlético winger Yannick Carrasco in the future.

Also Read | India Likely Playing XI for 2nd ODI vs New Zealand: Check Predicted Indian 11 for Cricket Match in Raipur.

Depay helped the Dutch national team reach the World Cup quarterfinals in December before losing to eventual champion Argentina.

He will now be tasked to team up with Antoine Griezmann and fill the void left at Atletico after João Félix was loaned to Chelsea last week.

The 28-year-old Depay joined Barcelona in 2021 from Lyon at the request of then coach Ronald Koeman. He was a regular starter under his fellow countryman, but became a backup after Xavi replaced Koeman midway through last season.

His minutes dwindled even further after the arrivals of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha last summer.

Far behind Spanish leader Barcelona, Atlético is fighting to secure a top-four finish and a resulting Champions League berth. Its only realistic shot at a title this campaign is in the Copa del Rey, where it will face Real Madrid in the quarterfinals next week.

Barcelona also benefits from the deal by lowering its burdensome payroll as it tries to pay down its debt. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)