Atalanta have officially completed the signing of Denmark international Thomas Kristensen from Udinese, in a deal worth up to €25 million. The Bergamo club confirmed the arrival of the 24-year-old centre-back on Thursday, after he arrived in the city on Wednesday evening and completed his medical tests before putting pen to paper.
Kristensen moves on a loan with an option to buy that becomes an obligation once certain conditions are met. The total cost is expected to be in the region of €22m, with a further €3m in add-ons, while Udinese have retained a 10 per cent sell-on clause on the defender.
The Dane becomes Atalanta's replacement for Berat Djimsiti, who brought an end to his decade-long tenure in Bergamo to begin a new experience with Al-Diriyah FC. In Kristensen, the Nerazzurri add a player with three seasons of Serie A experience under his belt.
Kristensen has been in Italy's top flight since 2023, when Udinese signed him from Danish side Aarhus for around €5m. He went on to make 81 appearances for the Friulani, scoring four goals and providing one assist. A full Denmark international, he now steps up to a club that has regularly challenged at the top end of Serie A in recent seasons.
The deal was completed quickly once the two clubs found an agreement, with the player in Bergamo within 24 hours of the move taking shape. Atalanta have moved to reinforce their back line during a busy summer window, and the signing of Kristensen gives the side a young, established defender ready to play a significant role.
For Udinese, the transfer brings a notable return on a player signed three years ago for a fraction of the fee now on the table. The 10 per cent sell-on clause means the Friulani will also benefit from any future sale of the centre-back.
Kristensen leaves Udine with 81 appearances to his name, a tally built across three seasons in which he became a regular in the Friulani defence. Now the next chapter of his career begins in Bergamo, where Atalanta expect him to slot into a defensive unit that has been reshaped following Djimsiti's departure. The club's announcement brings an end to one of the quickest pieces of business in this summer's Italian transfer window.
Sources
https://football-italia.net/official-kristensen-joins-atalanta-udinese/
