Mario Pasalic: Chelsea sell midfielder to join Atalanta for £13.5m after six years and no games

Pasalic has made significant strides in his career playing in Serie A

Mario Pasalic will join Atalanta permanently (Getty Images)

Chelsea have sold the midfielder Mario Pasalic to Atalanta for £13.5m after the Croatian international spent six years on the books at Stamford Bridge without playing a single game for the club.

The 25-year-old was loaned out to five different clubs during his time contracted to Chelsea, and a success of his last two campaigns in Serie A with Atalanta, helping them qualifying for the Champions League.

Previously, he also spent a season with each of Eibar, Monaco, AC Milan and Spartak Moscow.

Pasalic originally joined Chelsea from Hajduk Split, but will now follow in the footsteps of a raft of players to depart permanently after multiple years away from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea said: “Atalanta have today exercised their option to sign Mario Pasalic on a permanent deal. The midfielder is currently spending his second year on loan at the Italian side and will now join them permanently ahead of next season.

“We thank Mario for his service to the club and wish him the best of luck for the next chapter of his career.”

Atalanta tweeted: “Our #88 is an #Atalanta player on a permanent basis!”