Lee Kang-in joins Atlético Madrid, vows to win all competitions

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in has officially joined Atlético Madrid, expressing a strong desire to win all competitions with his new club. Returning to Spain after three years, Lee was presented at the Metropolitano Stadium, where he received the iconic No. 7 jersey, previously worn by club legend Antoine Griezmann.

Lee, who previously played for Valencia and Real Mallorca before moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, stated his long-standing admiration for Atlético Madrid. "Since I was young, I lived in Spain and knew what a great club Atlético was. From the moment the transfer was decided, I only wanted to win," he said during the official ceremony.

He also highlighted the influence of veteran midfielder Koke and the intense passion of coach Diego Simeone. "Koke is one of the biggest reasons I decided to join Atlético. He contacted me directly before I joined, and I am learning a lot from him every day," Lee mentioned. Describing Simeone's coaching style, he added, "The biggest difference from my previous teams is the coach's immense passion. The training intensity is high, but the team atmosphere is good, so I am enjoying it."

Lee made his unofficial debut for Atlético in a friendly match against Manchester City on August 9. His official debut is anticipated in the La Liga season opener against Malaga on August 20. The club's decision to provide a Korean-language interpretation channel during the live broadcast of his official signing ceremony underscores the high expectations placed upon the 25-year-old midfielder.