Franck Kessie has rejoined Atalanta as a free agent, returning to the club where he began his senior career nine years after departing for AC Milan.
The Ivory Coast international became available after completing a three-season spell with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. He chose a move back to Bergamo despite reported interest from Serie A rivals Roma and Juventus.
Kessie, 29, enjoyed considerable success during his time in Saudi Arabia, winning the AFC Champions League Elite twice. He joined Al-Ahli from Barcelona in a deal reported to be worth €12.5m.
His return marks the latest stage of a career that has taken him from Atalanta to some of Europe’s biggest clubs and then to the Saudi Pro League. Kessie came through Atalanta’s youth system and made 30 Serie A appearances for the club during his first spell.
He scored six goals and provided three assists in those matches before leaving for AC Milan in 2017. Kessie spent five years at San Siro, establishing himself as an important midfielder, before moving to Barcelona.
After his spell in Spain, he switched to Al-Ahli, where he added major continental honours to his career. His two AFC Champions League Elite titles came during a three-season stay with the Saudi club.
Kessie’s decision to return to Atalanta brings him back to the club that gave him his first opportunity in Italian football. The move also sees him resume his career in Serie A after an absence that followed his departure for AC Milan.
Atalanta will now benefit from the experience of a midfielder who has played in Italy, Spain and Saudi Arabia, while Kessie returns to familiar surroundings after nine years away.
His first spell at the club was brief in terms of appearances, but it provided the foundation for a career that later included five seasons with AC Milan, a move to Barcelona and success with Al-Ahli.
With Roma and Juventus also reportedly monitoring the 29-year-old, Atalanta have secured Kessie’s return after he opted to come back to Bergamo.
