Atalanta has reached a basic agreement to sign Thomas Kristensen from Udinese for approximately €22 million plus bonuses, according to reports summarized by Football Italia. The deal is expected to be structured as an initial loan with an obligation to buy. That arrangement will allow Atalanta to spread the cost across separate accounting periods while giving Udinese a guaranteed permanent sale once the stated conditions are met.
Kristensen is set to replace Berat Djimsiti, who left Atalanta to continue his career with Al-Diriyah. The Danish defender’s arrival would restore experience and physical presence to the center of the team’s back line. The 24-year-old has played in Italy since joining Udinese from AGF in 2023.
He has made 78 appearances for the club and scored four goals, developing into a regular starter during his three seasons in Serie A. At 1.98 meters, Kristensen offers clear strength in aerial duels and defending set pieces. He is also comfortable playing in a three-man defense, an important consideration for an Atalanta team that has regularly used that structure. His Udinese contract runs until June 2028, which gave the club a strong position during negotiations.
Atalanta’s reported package is several times larger than the amount Udinese paid to sign him from Denmark. Kristensen also has senior international experience with Denmark. A move to Bergamo would give him an opportunity to compete for European qualification and work in a team expected to control more possession than Udinese. Atalanta has been active since appointing Maurizio Sarri as its new head coach. The club also completed a €14 million agreement for Gianluca Gaetano as it reshapes the squad for the new season. The use of a loan with an obligation means Kristensen may initially appear as a temporary arrival, but the reported structure commits Atalanta to purchasing him permanently. Bonuses could take the final value of the operation beyond the initial €22 million figure.
Status: Atalanta and Udinese have reached a basic agreement for Thomas Kristensen at approximately €22 million plus bonuses, structured as a loan with an obligation to buy. The medical, signatures and official announcement remain pending.
