Aston Villa secures Matteo Ruggeri’s approval for transfer from Atlético Madrid

Aston Villa have locked down personal terms with Atlético Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri, with the Italian defender now waiting on the two clubs to finalize a transfer agreement. The deal is structured at €18 million guaranteed, with up to €6 million in performance-related add-ons that could push the total package to around €24 million. It is a swift bit of business from Villa, who are filling the gap left by Lucas Digne’s departure to Paris Saint-Germain. PSG activated the 33-year-old French defender’s release clause earlier in July, leaving Unai Emery’s side in need of a new first-choice option on the left side of defense. A one-season wonder at Atlético Ruggeri’s time in Madrid will go down as remarkably brief. The defender only joined Atlético on July 1, 2025, arriving from Atalanta for €17 million. He went on to make 26 La Liga appearances during the 2025-26 season, establishing himself as a capable performer in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues. Now, barely a year later, Atlético stand to pocket a modest profit on a player they clearly saw as a long-term investment. Ruggeri’s contract at the Metropolitano runs through 2030. The guaranteed fee of €18 million already repr...