Spanish football club Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Denmark defensive midfielder Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP, with the 27-year-old committing to the Madrid side on a contract running until 30 June 2031. The deal was finalised on 11 July after Hjulmand passed his medical in the Spanish capital.

Transfer Details

The two clubs reached a mutual agreement on the transfer fee, with Hjulmand completing his medical at the Vithas-Invictum High-Performance Sports Medicine Centre at Arturo Soria University Hospital before signing his long-term contract at Atletico's offices at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The right-footed midfielder is valued for his physical strength, ball-winning ability, tactical reading of the game, and distribution quality.

A Leader Wherever He Has Played

Hjulmand brings considerable leadership credentials to Madrid. He captained both Lecce in Italy and Sporting CP in Portugal, and at the age of 23 became the youngest captain in Lecce's history — and the second-youngest captain in Serie A history, behind only the legendary Francesco Totti.

Career Path: From Copenhagen to the Atletico

Born in Kastrup, Denmark, Hjulmand came through the youth system at FC Copenhagen before launching his professional career with Austrian Bundesliga side Admira Wacker in 2018, making 74 appearances over two and a half years. He moved to Italian club Lecce in January 2021, where he made 95 appearances and played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to Serie A during the 2021-22 season.

Hjulmand then joined Sporting CP in the summer of 2023, going on to make 141 appearances for the Lisbon club. During his stint in Portugal, he helped Sporting claim back-to-back Primeira Liga titles in 2023-24 and 2024-25, as well as the Taça de Portugal in 2024-25.

International Pedigree

Hjulmand made his senior debut for Denmark in a 4-0 victory over San Marino on 7 September 2023, having previously represented the country at youth level. He has since accumulated 27 senior caps for the Danish national side, cementing his status as a key figure in the squad.

What This Signing Means for Atletico

Atletico Madrid have long prioritised defensive solidity and midfield industry under their setup, and Hjulmand fits that profile precisely. His arrival adds depth and experience to the engine room, and his trophy-winning record at Sporting CP suggests he is accustomed to delivering in high-pressure environments. With his contract extending to 2031, the club is clearly viewing him as a long-term cornerstone of their midfield.