The deal everyone has been talking about for the last few weeks is officially completed.
Radamel Falcao has signed for Monaco.
The Colombian sensation has agreed a five-year contract with the French club, with the transfer fee rumored to be around $78 million, the buyout clause in his Atletico Madrid contract.
That would make the deal the sixth largest transfer in soccer history and follows Monaco’s double-swoop for Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez for $90 million from FC Porto last week.
Monaco’s Russian billionaire owner has now spent $168 million on just three players, as the mega-rich club prepares for life in Ligue 1 next season and a charge for the French title. The deal will also see Falcao pick up a salary of around $18.2 million per year.
Dmity Rybolovlev, AS Monaco FC President, has this to say: “We are absolutely delighted that Radamel Falco has accepted the challenge of coming to play for AS Monaco FC. We are proud to have secured one of the best players in the world and confident that he will help ASMFC regain its rightful status.”
(More: Radamel Falcao and the specter of AS Monaco)
Falcao has spent two seasons at Atletico Madrid, scoring an incredible 70 goals in 90 games. Before that the 27-year-old Colombian national team star shone at River Plate and FC Porto. He amassed 117 goals in 192 games with them from 2005-2011. The lethal striker has 16 goals in 43 international appearances from Colombia.
The move has been lined up for quite some time now, with Russian owner Rybolovlev splashing the cash like no other to try and push Monaco forward as one of Europe’s leading sides.
Monaco have previously won 14 French titles, but found themselves languishing in France’s second-tier last season. But thanks to Rybolovlev’s investment, Italian manager Claudio Ranieri was able to clinch promotion back to Ligue 1.
(More: Are AS Monaco the real deal after signing Moutinho and Rodriguez for $90 million from Porto?)
Monaco’s new star forward has already spoke his first words as one of their players. Check out the video from the official club website, below.
Last week I asked if Monaco were the real deal after signing two star players for $90 million. I don’t think I need to continue.
Watch out Europe. The boys from Monaco are coming.
(More: Falcao inching towards AS Monaco move, to have physical on Monday)
