New Contract and Tattoo Removal
Morten Hjulmand, 27, joined Atlético Madrid on a five‑year contract for a fee of around £34 million. The Danish defensive midfielder revealed in his first interview with Marca that he had once been an Arsenal fan and even bore the club’s crest as a tattoo. He said, "No, I was an Arsenal fan when I was a kid, but I don't have that tattoo anymore; it's part of my past." Hjulmand added that after turning professional and moving to Austria, his mindset about being a fan changed: "After turning professional, when I moved to Austria, my mindset about being a fan changed because now I'm in the professional world as a player. So I don't follow the club like I used to because I have this profession now."
Champions League Encounter
During the 2023‑24 Champions League quarter‑finals, Hjulmand faced his former boyhood club. He played the full second leg against Arsenal, while Kai Havertz’s last‑minute winner in the first leg secured Atlético’s 2‑1 aggregate victory and sent them to the semi‑finals. The following season, Atlético faced Arsenal again in Europe, but Mikel Arteta’s side won 2‑1 on aggregate to reach the final.
Future Ambitions with Atlético
Hjulmand expressed optimism about the upcoming season: "Yes, last season we came very close, and hopefully we can reach that goal again this season with Atlético. It's going to be a big challenge to win it." He added that Atlético also targets the Copa del Rey and La Liga, noting the squad’s depth and quality. "I think the quality of the squad is very good. We have a lot of depth and many quality players in every position, so I'm very happy with that," he said.
Focus on Silverware
The Danish midfielder is now putting his former passion for Arsenal aside as he aims for silverware with the La Liga giants. He remains focused on the club’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions, leaving his childhood allegiance behind.
