Atlético Madrid sign Reinildo Mandava from Lille

Atlético Madrid made a key defensive reinforcement on transfer window deadline day, confirming Reinildo Mandava’s arrival from Lille on a contract to 2025.

Reinildo was in Madrid last week to sign a pre-contract for the summer, but the agreement will be brought forward as Lille and Atlético announced the left-back’s transfer with an hour left in the winter window.

Atleti will pay Lille a fee around €3 million to complete the deal now rather than in July, when the player’s contract was due to expire.

“We have incorporated into our team a powerful footballer, capable of covering the entire left flank, and a player who is very difficult to beat thanks to his strong physique,” Atleti’s statement read. “In addition, he is very good in the air thanks to his leaping ability, which makes him secure in the aerial game at the back and a danger from set pieces in attack.”

Photo by John Berry/Getty Images

Reinildo joined Lille on loan from Belenenses in 2019 and emerged as one of the top full-backs in France. The Mozambique international’s defensive skillset comes highly-regarded, and he is set to compete for minutes with Renan Lodi — who is gifted offensively but has struggled defensively over his two-and-a-half years in Madrid.

Similar to how Daniel Wass’s arrival from Valencia will free Marcos Llorente to return to his preferred midfield position, Reinildo will allow Yannick Carrasco to focus much more on attacking in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 formation.