La Liga champions Barcelona announced the signing of Antoine Griezmann on Friday after paying his 120m euro (£107m) buyout clause to their rivals Atletico Madrid.

The 28-year-old France forward has signed a 5-year deal which includes an 800m euro (£717m) release clause.

“The player will sign a contract with his new club for the next 5 seasons, through to 30 June 2024, with a buyout clause of 800 million euros”, Barca announced in a statement released.

This brings an end to the much long-awaited decision and dispute between the two clubs and Griezmann, who had aimed to move to the Catalan giants.

The striker, who was born in Macon, France, arrives at Barca after consolidating himself as one of the top footballers in La Liga after spells with Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid is threatening legal action after Barcelona with an argument that they are actually due 200 million euros since they claim, an agreement was reached three months ago behind their backs.

Last week they even accused Greizmann and Barcelona of a “lack of respect” after Barca president revealed the two clubs had held talks about his transfer and they also claim that Griezmann had told the club that he had made a deal with Barca just days before the second leg of their Championship League last-16 tie with Juventus.

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