CONFIRMADO: Diego Godín signs for Inter Milan

Inter Milan announced on Monday morning Diego Godín’s arrival on a free transfer, officially bringing to an end the decorated defender’s stint at Atlético Madrid.

The “sheriff” (no, I don’t know why, either) was linked with a move to Italy almost immediately after the January transfer window opened — when out-of-contract players could begin to negotiate with other clubs. Inter emerged quickly as the front-runners for his signature, and now he will play under Antonio Conte’s orders on a contract to 2022.

Godín announced in May that he would leave Atlético upon his contract’s expiration. He rejected offers from Juventus and Manchester United last summer to captain Atleti this past season. The 2018/19 campaign ended without major silverware, but the 33-year-old did lift the UEFA Super Cup and scored in the Champions League against Juve. His rojiblanco career ends with 389 appearances, 26 goals and eight trophies.

Atlético are eyeing up Espanyol’s Mario Hermoso to complete next season’s center back quartet, which also includes Felipe Monteiro, Stefan Savić and Godín’s compatriot José Giménez.