Mercato sees Officiel Franck Kessié rejoin Atalanta in Serie A

Mercato sees Officiel Franck Kessié rejoin Atalanta in Serie A as a free agent after his spell with Al Ahli, nine years after departing the Bergame side for AC Milan. The 29‑year‑old Ivorian midfielder will also reclaim his former number 19.

From Bergamo to Barcelona and back

El ex Barcelonais Kessié first broke through at Atalanta between 2015 and 2017, after being scouted from the small Ivorian club Étoile d’Adjamé. He then moved to AC Milan, where he cemented his reputation as one of Italy’s top midfielders, before a brief season with Barcelona.

Asian success and international pedigree

During the summer, several Italian clubs, notably Juventus and Roma, pursued the free agent in Italie. In the end, Kessié opted for the Dea, the nickname of Atalanta, preferring the club that first launched his European career.

At Barcelona he added a La Liga title and a Supercopa, scoring a memorable winner against Real Madrid under Xavi Hernández. His departure later helped the Catalan giants improve their financial balance.

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In Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli he featured in at least 26 league matches each season and was named the best player of the Asian Champions League, a competition he helped win twice consecutively.

Kessié also represented the Ivory Coast at the World Cup, exiting in the round of 16 to Norway, and was part of the squad that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024.

Back in Bergame, he will wear the iconic number 19 and aims to aid Atalanta’s push for Champions League qualification and a Conference League challenge.