Franck Kessie has explained why he decided to return to Atalanta towards the end of the summer transfer window despite his talks with Serie A rivals Juventus , and says that La Dea want to challenge on all fronts this season, including for the Scudetto.
The Ivory Coast international rejoined Atalanta on a free transfer at the end of August, almost a decade after he left Bergamo to join Milan . His career has since taken him to Barcelona and to Saudi Arabia and he now returns to the first European club that he represented as a teenager.
Franck Kessie signs the contract alongside Atalanta directors Cristiano Giuntoli and Luca Percassi (atalanta.it)
The 29-year-old sat down in front of the media for his 'introductory' press conference on Monday.
Atalanta were not the only club interested in bringing Kessie back to Serie A this summer. There had also been discussions with Juventus, but the Ivorian explained that it was not a difficult decision to return to Bergamo once the offer was on the table.
"It was a choice made from my heart," Kessie told the press.
"I want to thank the club and especially Luca Percassi, to the club, who gave me the possibility to return here, to come back home. I'm very happy. I left as a kid and I've changed a lot and come back much more mature compared to 10 years ago.
"Franck is always ready. It was a good experience for me in Arabia, a good three years, I won three trophies there. It was a great experience for my career over there and now I'm happy to be back here."
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 25: Franck Kessie of Al Ahli celebrates after teammate Feras Al-Brikan (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League Elite Final match between Al Ahli and FC Machida Zelvia at King Abdullah Sports City on April 25, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
Kessie was asked about his relationship with Maurizio Sarri thus far and the position he sees himself playing in this season.
He replied: "We're working hard together every day. For me, it's not an issue to play as a deep-lying midfielder or even as more of a playmaker. The priority is to give my best for the team and for the city."
The city of Bergamo has always been close to Kessie's heart. He even decided to continue living in the city for the five years that he represented Milan between 2017 and 2022.
Asked why that was, Kessie explained: "Bergamo is the first city in Europe that I lived in after leaving Africa and the Ivory Coast as an 18-year-old. I became a professional footballer here. This city is everything for me."
Lots has changed since Kessie last represented Atalanta, perhaps most notably the stadium.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: General view outside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
"The atmosphere is always intense, always, with a strong fanbase that makes itself heard," Kessie said. "The stands are a lot closer to the pitch now and I like that a lot, the animation, the tension. I'm really happy to be back here and happy to see that the club is doing a lot for the city."
And what are the club's goals for the 2026-27 season?
"We want to fight for everything here in Bergamo. The Scudetto, the Coppa Italia, the Europa League, that's why we're here. We want to challenge for everything."
TORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 20: Franck Kessie #8 of Cote d'Ivoire celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Cote D'Ivoire at Toronto Stadium on June 20, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Asked again about his discussions with other clubs this summer, Kessie said: "It's normal that lots of teams ask after a player who has just become a free agent. I spoke with other teams, naturally, but this option gave me a lot of confidence as a player and as a person.
"I chose Atalanta because it was a decision made from the heart. When Atalanta asked me to come back, I wanted to return home."
