Clement Lenglet leaves Atletico Madrid for Benfica on an initial loan that will later become permanent. The French defender heads to Lisbon after two seasons in Spain, with reports suggesting Benfica will not pay a transfer fee once the loan ends and the move is finalised.

The centre-back’s Atletico Madrid contract had been scheduled to run until 2028, yet the agreement with Benfica now covers three years. Lenglet played 60 matches across all competitions for Atletico, contributing to the club’s run to the 2025-26 Copa del Rey final, where Real Sociedad claimed the trophy.

Benfica secure Lenglet on loan for the first campaign, before a permanent switch activates on completion of that spell. Reports in Portugal and Spain state that no transfer fee will be due at that stage, which makes the structure of the deal notable in the current market.

Lenglet’s move comes after two campaigns in La Liga, with Atletico Madrid confirming the transfer on social media and highlighting the defender’s new step in Portuguese football.

“I’m very proud to be here. A big city, a huge club,” the Frenchman told the club’s media channels. “I’m very eager to embrace the challenge ahead of me, to play for a club like this. I’m really looking forward to starting now. It seemed like a very good project for my career. It’s a club that competes for everything, that competes to win titles in the country, but also abroad. And that’s what I want. That’s why I decided to come here.”

Lenglet’s departure adds to a period of change for Atletico Madrid. Antoine Griezmann has already left for MLS side Orlando City earlier this summer. Julian Alvarez could follow, after stating a desire to achieve a long-held ambition amid strong interest from Barcelona.

Atletico Madrid are also reshaping the squad with new arrivals, including the signing of Alejandro Grimaldo. For Benfica, the capture of Lenglet strengthens central defence for domestic and European campaigns, while Atletico adjust to the loss of an experienced defender and assess further decisions in the transfer window.