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On a massive day of news for Atlético Madrid — which saw Hector Herrera announced as a new player and Felipe Monteiro’s plane land in the capital ahead of his signing — the club wrapped it up with the long-awaited confirmation that João Félix has signed a seven-year contract.
The 19-year-old arrives for €126 million after a year at Benfica. He scored 20 goals with 11 assists last season in his first with the first team.
#PuroTalento pic.twitter.com/ehvuo8YBNI
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) July 3, 2019
Thank you, wonderkid.#EPluribusUnum pic.twitter.com/Haqiojsg8f
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) July 3, 2019
Félix is seen as a replacement for Antoine Griezmann, who will of course leave the club this summer and likely join Barcelona. The teenage phenom will also inherit Griezmann’s #7 shirt.
Portugal international Félix becomes the third-most expensive signing in football after Neymar’s transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in summer 2017, followed by Kylian Mbappé to the same club last summer.
This means Atlético have now signed five players this summer following the arrivals of Marcos Llorente from Real Madrid and Renán Lodi from Athletico Paranaense to go along with Felipe and Herrera from FC Porto.