Atlético reveal new shirts for 2021/22, announce Marcos Paulo signing

Atlético Madrid unveiled a new quartet of shirts on Monday morning — including a highly-anticipated red alternate featuring the club’s traditional badge.

Koke, Yannick Carrasco, João Félix and Marcos Llorente — alongside Deyna Castellanos and Ludmila Silva from the women’s team — modeled the new kits, which are certainly a striking departure from the past couple seasons in particular.

Atlético have ditched last season’s buttons and collar to go with a home shirt that features two large, vertical red bars that look as if they were just painted on. The front of the shirt looks like it features an “H” design given the placement of sponsor Plus 500’s wordmark — the seventh straight season in which Atlético’s shirts will feature the Israeli financial firm. The blue shorts are a shade or two lighter than in previous seasons, as well.

The new away shirt is navy with a pink splash along the left side, along with all-pink shorts. The new third shirt is a very-light blue, with an instantly-noticeable red and white collar along with matching sleeve cuffs.

Finally, the fourth shirt is a solid red with Atlético’s traditional shield — a peace offering, perhaps, to the supporters who have resented the club’s new emblem since its introduction in 2017. Between the Nike logo and the old badge is the phrase “75 years honoring your name.” Atlético Aviación became Atlético Madrid on Jan. 1, 1947, thus ending its link to the Spanish Air Force following the Civil War.

A busy Monday also saw Atlético confirm not only Vitolo’s loan to Getafe, but a two-year contract extension for the player — no doubt an immediate cost-saving measure, allowing the club to spread his remaining salary over multiple seasons. Atleti could potentially fetch a transfer fee for him next summer via this new arrangement.

The Spanish champions further announced Marcos Paulo’s arrival on a free transfer after his exit from Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense. The 20-year-old passed his medical examination and put pen to paper on a five-year contract. The Brazil-born attacker is a forward/winger hybrid who has Portuguese nationality, so he won’t occupy a non-EU slot should he stay in the team this coming season.