Serie A News

Atalanta Officially Welcomes Kristensen from Udinese

August 14, 2026Carlos Mendoza2 мин

Atalanta BC is pleased to announce the acquisition of Danish defender Thomas Kristensen from Udinese Calcio. The deal is structured as a loan with an option that becomes mandatory under certain conditions. The Bergamo club has officially confirmed the signing of the Danish defender from Udinese for a reported fee of 22 million euros plus 5 million in bonuses.

Kristensen departs Udine after three seasons, during which he made 78 appearances and scored 4 goals for the Bianconeri. The Danish defender will bolster Mister Sarri's defensive options, especially following the departure of veteran Berat Djimsiti, who has moved to Al Diraiyah.

Kristensen's Journey to Atalanta

Born on January 17, 2002, in Aarhus, Denmark, Kristensen began his footballing education at his hometown club. He made his first-team debut in the Danish Superligaen at the young age of nineteen, gradually earning more playing time and eventually securing a starting position. At twenty-one, with 46 total appearances (and 2 goals) for Aarhus, he transferred to Italy to join Udinese.

He quickly demonstrated his qualities in Italy, making an immediate impact. In fact, he was included in the starting eleven in his third match, marking his Serie A debut against Fiorentina on September 24, 2023.

Atalanta's Welcome to Kristensen

His consistency is reflected in his statistics: 26 league appearances in his first season, 24 in his second (during which he scored his first Serie A goal against Cagliari in the penultimate round), and 28 in the 2025/26 season. In his final season with Udinese, he also proved effective in the opposition's box, scoring 3 goals, including one in Bergamo, showcasing his specialty: heading. He concluded his Udinese experience after three seasons, with a total of 81 appearances across all competitions and 4 goals scored.

He also represented Denmark at various youth levels, from U18 to U21, accumulating 18 caps and participating notably in the 2025 European Championship, where his team reached the quarter-finals.

The club's statement concludes: "The Percassi family, the Pagliuca family, and the entire Nerazzurri club extend a warm welcome to Thomas, wishing him the greatest personal and team satisfactions in the black and blue shirt."

Kristensen Introduces Himself to Atalanta

The Danish player has given his first statements as a new Atalanta player, expressing great enthusiasm for his new adventure with the Nerazzurri: "When I heard about the interest, I was very happy and proud because it is a very important club here in Italy. I immediately understood that the club's project for me and for the team suited me very well. I am happy and proud to wear this jersey. To the fans, I want to say that I can't wait to play. I am ready for this adventure with Atalanta, and I will give my all."