Atletico Madrid said on Saturday that Lee Kang-In will join the club on a contract through June 2031, marking a significant addition for a team that finished fourth in La Liga last season and reached the Copa del Rey final.
The Atletico Madrid Kang-in Lee transfer brings in a 25-year-old South Korea midfielder who has already built a strong club resume in Europe. Lee had previously played for Valencia, Mallorca and Paris Saint-Germain, and before Saturday he had scored 16 goals in 124 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain.
Why Atletico Madrid made the move
The timing also makes sense for Atletico Madrid. The club has been looking to add more creativity after losing Antoine Griezmann, its all-time top scorer, to the MLS. Lee gives Atletico another technical midfield option and a player with experience in big matches at both club and international level.
Lee’s path to this point has been unusual but steady. When he was 10 years old, he moved to Spain to join Valencia’s training academy, and that early move helped shape a career that has taken him through La Liga and onto Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.
At Paris Saint-Germain, Lee was part of a team the source says helped the club to consecutive Champions League titles. That background should only add to Atletico’s interest as it looks to stay competitive in Spain and in Europe.
What comes next
The reported transfer fee is 35 million euros, or about $39.8m, and can rise to 40 million euros, or about $45.5m. For Atletico Madrid, the deal is a clear statement of intent: the club is adding a proven, still-young midfielder on a long contract as it tries to build on last season’s progress.
