Nikola Kalinic joins Atletico Madrid after complicated World Cup with Croatia

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of striker Nikola Kalinic on a three-year deal from AC Milan.

Kalinic hit headlines for the wrong reasons this summer as he was sent home by Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic at the start of the World Cup after refusing to come on as a substitute due to ‘fitness issues’.

Croatia would go on to finish runners-up to France at the tournament – their best ever finish – though Kalinic refused to accept a finalists’ medal having not played a part at any point.

But the 30-year-old has looked to put his career back on the right track, joining Europa League winners Atletico for an undisclosed fee.

Kalinic only joined Milan last summer on an initial season-long loan with obligatory option to buy this year, playing 41 games across all competitions and scoring six goals.

Prior to that, the Croatian scored 33 goals in 84 matches for Fiorentina across a two-year spell at the Viola.

Before the World Cup, Kalinic had made 42 appearances for the Croatian national team, scoring 15 times.

Kalinic will join the likes of Diego Costa and Antoine Griezmann at Atletico, with the club preparing for their UEFA Super Cup tie against rivals Real Madrid on August 15.

The post Nikola Kalinic joins Atletico Madrid after complicated World Cup with Croatia appeared first on Squawka News.



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