Atalanta signs Gianluca Gaetano from Cagliari: former Napoli man joins in €15m deal

Atalanta have completed the signing of central midfielder Gianluca Gaetano from Cagliari, the club confirmed on Sunday. The 26-year-old Italian returns to Bergamo after two and a half seasons with the Sardinian side. According to journalist Nicolò Schira, the deal is worth €12 million plus €3 million in add-ons, with Gaetano signing a contract running through June 2031. Gaetano initially joined Cagliari on loan from boyhood club Napoli in January 2024. After the season, the Rossoblù extended his temporary stay before making the move permanent last summer for €6 million. During his time in Sardinia, Gaetano tallied nine goals and nine assists in 76 appearances. With Napoli, he won the Serie A title in 2022/23, contributing one goal and one assist in eight outings. Atalanta have been active early in the summer window – Gaetano is their first signing of the 2026 market. Maurizio Sarri’s side will open the new Serie A campaign at home against Sassuolo on Sunday, August 23.