Mateo Retegui, the talented forward who finished as the top goal scorer in Italy’s Serie A during the last season with an impressive tally of goals, has officially signed with Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah. The 24-year-old Argentine made the transfer from Atalanta, where his remarkable performance caught the attention of clubs looking to bolster their attacking options.In addition to starting a new chapter in Retegui’s career, this move demonstrates the increasing number of top players joining the Saudi Pro League in search of fresh challenges and chances.
Italian media agencies have reported that Al-Qadsiah has paid an incredible sum of more than £56 million for the 26-year-old striker, who has agreed to a lucrative four-year contract with the team. This transfer fee positions Mateo Retegui as the most expensive Italian player of all time, surpassing Sandro Tonali’s previous record of £55 million when he moved to Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023.
Mateo Retegui, who was born in Argentina but chose to represent Italy, had a remarkable season with Atalanta after joining from Genoa last summer. In his debut season, he scored 25 league goals in just 36 appearances, helping the club secure a third-place finish in the Serie A standings and qualifying for European competition. After making his debut for the Italian national team in 2023, he quickly made an impact by scoring in a 2-1 defeat against England, and he has accumulated a total of six goals in 20 matches for Italy.
Atalanta expressed their appreciation for Retegui’s contributions, stating, “The Percassi family, the Pagliuca family, and the entire Nerazzurri club sincerely thank Mateo for the extraordinary contribution he made last season and wish him the best for the continuation of his sporting career and for his future endeavors.”
Last season, Al-Qadsiah finished in fourth place in the competitive Saudi Pro League. Mateo Retegui is expected to take on a crucial role at the club, filling the void left by former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who departed Al-Qadsiah last week. Reports indicate that Aubameyang is close to sealing a deal with French Ligue 1 club Marseille, marking a new chapter in his career as well.
