Conor Gallagher spent 15 years at Chelsea before leaving them for Atlético Madrid in the summer window.
The midfielder came up through the ranks of Chelsea’s youth system and was promoted to their first team in 2019.
Gallagher featured regularly for Chelsea last season, but decided it was time to leave the Blues.
AS have had a detailed chat with the 24-year-old and asked him how he handled his exit from the west London club. Responding to that, the player revealed he’s pleased the La Liga side came forward to sign him.
“It’s clear that Chelsea is the team I grew up with, the team I supported and I always felt very much loved. I have so many very special memories there that make me proud and I can only wish the club all the best, but it was time to start a new challenge in my career,” he said.
“I’m lucky that this incredible club, Atlético, wanted to sign me. From the first moment, I was eager to be part of this team and this family. I want to help Atlético to progress and achieve great goals.”
The former Chelsea man was part of the England squad that lost the Euro 2024 final to Spain. He’s revealed Los Rojiblancos first made an approach during the tournament.
“I always felt very loved by Atlético from the beginning and that made me see that they consider me special. I’m very excited and happy to be here,” Gallagher explained.
Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier also represented the Three Lions at the Euros.
He spent 18 months at Atlético before joining Newcastle in January 2022. The right-back was able to convince his compatriot to pick the Madrid club.
“Yes, Trippier was with me at the Euros and we spent time together every day. We talked a lot about Atlético. He helped me a lot when it came to making the decision to come. He only had good things to say,” he added.
Samu Omorodion left Atlético for FC Porto. Prior to that, Enzo Maresca’s side wanted to sign him, with Gallagher moving in the opposite direction.
The striker’s move to Chelsea collapsed, and that put the midfielder’s transfer in danger, before the deal went through a few days later. AS asked how he experienced these six days.
“It was stressful. I was in Madrid, ready to sign and become a new Atlético player. All I wanted was for it to be closed and for me to be able to start training and be part of the team. All big transfers can get complicated and that’s what happened with mine,” the player said.
“But I always had the confidence that it would go ahead, because I knew how much Atlético wanted me to be here and how much I wanted to end up as a red-and-white. I always had the confidence that it would be resolved. Luckily it ended up happening and everything was perfect.”
