Spanish football club Atletico Madrid has finalized the acquisition of Morten Hjulmand, a defensive midfielder from Denmark, from Sporting CP. Hjulmand, aged 27, has committed to a contract with Atletico Madrid until June 30, 2031. The transfer deal was sealed following Hjulmand’s successful medical examination in Madrid and the subsequent signing of a long-term contract.
Hjulmand, a right-footed defensive midfielder, is recognized for his physical prowess, ball-winning skills, tactical awareness, and passing abilities. He brings valuable leadership qualities, having served as captain at both Lecce and Sporting CP. Originally from Kastrup, Denmark, Hjulmand began his professional career at FC Copenhagen’s youth academy before moving to Admira Wacker in the Austrian Bundesliga in 2018.
Having amassed 74 appearances during his tenure at Admira Wacker, Hjulmand transitioned to Lecce in Italy in January 2021. Noteworthy is his pivotal role in Lecce’s promotion to Serie A for the 2021-22 season, where he made 95 appearances. At just 23 years old, he became Lecce’s youngest captain and the second-youngest captain in Serie A history after Francesco Totti.
Upon joining Sporting CP in the summer of 2023, Hjulmand quickly established himself as a crucial player, contributing to the club’s success with 141 appearances. His tenure in Lisbon saw Sporting clinch consecutive Portuguese league titles in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, along with the Taça de Portugal in 2024-25. Additionally, Hjulmand has represented Denmark at various youth levels and made his senior international debut in a match against San Marino on September 7, 2023, accumulating 27 senior caps for his national team.
The Danish midfielder underwent medical assessments at the Vithas-Invictum High-Performance Sports Medicine Centre at Arturo Soria University Hospital before finalizing his transfer at Atlético’s offices at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
