Atlético Madrid have confirmed that Mario Mandžukić has left the club to join Juventus for a reported fee of €18 million.
The forward – who scored 20 goals in 37 appearances last season – has moved to the Italian champions after just one season in La Liga, and rejected the rumoured advances of Manchester United a few weeks ago.
Mandžukić will now head to Turin for his first season in Serie A after four successful seasons in the Bundesliga, two seasons each with VfL Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich.
Mandzukic set to bolster Juve front line
In the summer of 2007, Mandžukić was bought by the Croatian powerhouse Dinamo Zagreb for €1.3 million as a replacement for their Arsenal-bound star striker Eduardo. After 63 goals in 128 appearances, he joined Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg for a fee believed to be around €7 million in July 2010.
It was in Wolfsburg where he really made his name, and after two seasons he joined German champions Bayern Munich for €13 million. Mandžukić went onto score 48 goals in just 88 games including the opener in the 2-1 Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium.
Even though his time in Munich was successful, the signing of Robert Lewandowski was the message that Mandžukić should move on. That he did, he joined La Liga winners Atlético Madrid for an undisclosed fee. A moderately successful first season in La Liga wasn't enough as he now joins Serie A winners and Champions League finalists Juventus on a four-year deal.
Mandzukic arrival almost seals Tevez's fate
This move almost confirms the departure of star striker Carlos Tevez as he is linked with a return to Argentina, with Boca Juniors reportedly close to a deal.
After already signing Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Daniele Rugani, Juventus are getting smart deals done quickly. Could they go one step further in the Champions League after narrowly losing out to Barcelona in Berlin? If that's what they're planning, signing players of Mandžukić's quality is the right way to go about it.