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Hours after introducing Marcos Llorente — and handing him the #14 shirt in a deliciously petty move — Atlético Madrid confirmed their third summer signing in the form of Athletico Paranaense left back Renan Lodi.
Principio de acuerdo con el @AthleticoPR para el traspaso de Renan Lodi
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) June 28, 2019
https://t.co/th4Er2sD7Q#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/DBcz6zNskO
O Athletico e o @Atleti chegaram a um princípio de acordo para a transferência de @renan_lodi ao clube espanhol. O acordo está pendente da sua formalização definitiva.
— Athletico Paranaense (@AthleticoPR) June 28, 2019
https://t.co/RSnztjYzdO pic.twitter.com/cXqgRFS0dc
There was talk in the past week that a taxation issue was holding up the deal, but that appears to have been resolved with an agreement struck in principle. A source told Into the Calderón that the transfer fee is in the region of €25 million — €20 million up front and a further €5 million in add-ons.
Lodi joined Athletico’s academy in 2012 and debuted for the first team in 2016. He helped the Paraná-based side to their first Copa Sudamericana crown in 2018 and played awfully well in that tournament:
5 - Renan Lodi was involved in five goals in 2018 Copa Sudamericana (two goals and three assists), more than any other defender. Lightning. pic.twitter.com/bQVEGyOLBK
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 28, 2019
The 21-year-old is regarded as one of the best left backs in the country and has been recognized for his speed and attacking prowess. Both qualities will be welcome in an Atlético side that employed an aging, declining Filipe Luis on the left flank for most of last season. In addition, Lodi is known as a solid defender — and if that translates to LaLiga, Diego Simeone should not have many qualms about playing him right away.