27-year-old Hancko signs a 5-year contract with Diego Simeone's side. Atletico Madrid paid Feyenoord a reported fee of €35 million - a new club record for Feyenoord, whose previous record sale was that of Santiago Gimenez to Milan, who paid a reported €32 million for the Mexican striker.
Hancko joined Feyenoord from Sparta Prague in 2022 for a reported fee of €6 million. In Rotterdam, the centre-half quickly grew to become a leader of the team and became one of the best defenders in the Netherlands. In his first year with the club, Hancko won the Dutch Eredivisie and reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
After winning the domestic cup the following season, Hancko went trophyless in his last season with the club. The 50-time Slovakian international, who'd become Feyenoord's vice-captain behind Quinten Timber, had interest in a transfer abroad and reportedly enjoyed interest from the likes of Juventus and Atletico, the former of whom were reportedly "big fans" of the defender.
Hancko was set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and had joined the team on training camp in Austria. However, Cristiano Ronaldo's club suddenly pulled the plug on the deal, leaving Feyenoord, who called Al Nassr's behaviour "outrageous," and Hancko empty-handed.
In his three years with the club, Hancko played 140 games and scored 15 goals.
