Netherlands forward Memphis Depay is officially an Atletico Madrid player following the completion of a move from many times La Liga champs Barcelona on Thursday.

Depay whose contract with Barca was set to expire in the summer joins Atletico on a 2-year- and-a-half year deal worth a reported €3 million.

The 28-year-old who joined Barcelona from French Ligue 1 team Lyon in 2021 for free, following the departure of club legend Lionel Messi to PSG, has failed to replicate the form showed in France.

This along with injury spells had forced the new manager Xavi to recruit reinforcements to bolster the attack for the financially troubled club.

Following the acquisition of strikers Robert Lewandowsky and Raphina from Bayern Munich and Leeds United respectively in addition to the return to form of Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati, Depay has experienced a diminished role.

Depay who was also active in Netherlands’ World Cup campaign had been linked to several clubs since the summer transfer window including former club Manchester United.

However, with Atletico striker Joao Felix going on loan to Chelsea, it opened a door for Depay to have another at making an impact in Spain.

Depay has scored 14 times in 42 appearances in his spell at Barca.