Josip Ilicic has officially terminated his contract with Atalanta by mutual consent and is now free to find himself another club.
The 34-year-old Slovenian has practically not played for the last two years due to a combination of injuries and mental health problems.
He expressed the desire to find a new environment and Atalanta had been in talks with Hellas Verona, but ultimately both parties preferred to terminate the contract by mutual consent so he could find himself another club.
Once one of the most exciting players in Serie A, Ilicic has been a fixture of Italian football since joining Palermo in 2010, then going to Fiorentina in 2013 and Atalanta in 2017.
“Atalanta B.C. announce that the contract between the club and the player Josip Iličić has been terminated by mutual agreement,” read a statement.
“He has enchanted Bergamo with his plays, his inventions and his pure class since 2017. He made us dream with his magic on the pitch and moved us with his sensitivity and humanity off it.
“His four goals at Valencia will forever remain a portrait of the champion Iličić, while the noble gesture of donating the ball of that magical evening to Bergamo’s Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital is a portrait of the man Josip.
“There would be goals and assists to list, but what these five seasons together have meant goes far beyond numbers.
“Now we part ways, but the memories and emotions will remain forever.
“Good luck, Professor and thanks for everything!”
On his day a top player, but far too often twas not his day..