By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
Defending Turkish champions Galatasaray announced that Italian attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo joined Italian Serie A side Atalanta on loan on Friday.
According to a statement from Galatasaray, Atalanta will pay a loan fee of €6.4 million ($6.9 million) upfront, with an option to make the deal permanent for €15.5 million ($16.8 million).
The deal also includes a potential bonus fee of up to €2 million.
Zaniolo, 25, who spent most of his career at Roma, was an Aston Villa player during the 2023-24 season, but then he returned to Turkish Super Lig's Galatasaray in June after the English Premier League team opted not to buy him.
Following his leave from Roma in the 2023 mid-season transfer window, Zaniolo helped Galatasaray win a Turkish league title.
Zaniolo, who amassed 19 international caps for Italy, won the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League title with Roma in 2022.
He netted thrice in 39 appearances for Aston Villa last season.