Atletico Madrid snap up £18m signing of Geoffrey Kondogbia from Valencia on a

On Nov 4, 2020

Atletico Madrid seal £18m signing of Geoffrey Kondogbia from Valencia on a four-year deal as they take advantage of LaLiga loophole to find replacement for Thomas Partey

Geoffrey Kondogbia completed his medical on Tuesday before signing the deal
The midfielder has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Atletico Madrid
The 27-year-old will replace Thomas Partey in the heart of midfield in Madrid
La Liga rules have allowed Atletico to snap up the signing of Kondogbia
Clubs who lose a player after release clause was met can sign another

Published: 08:00 EST, 3 November 2020 | Updated: 14:03 EST, 3 November 2020

Atletico Madrid have signed midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from La Liga rivals Valencia for £18million.

The 27-year-old has signed a four-year contract with Atletico and replaces Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal just before the transfer window closed after they activated his £45million release clause.

La Liga rules allow clubs who have lost a player after their release clause was triggered to sign another player within a month provided they already play in Spain or are out of contract.

Atletico Madrid have announced the arrival of Geoffrey Kondogbia from La Liga rivals Valencia

The midfielder was pictured undergoing his medical before signing his four-year contract

A La Liga loophole ensured Atletico got their man from Valencia after the window closed

Kondogbia was pictured in his new colours after completing his medical before putting pen to paper on the four-year deal at the Wanda Metropolitano.

‘Atletico Madrid and Valencia CF have reached an agreement over the transfer of Geoffrey Kondogbia,’ Atletico said in a statement on Tuesday.

‘The box-to-box footballer is a strong presence in midfield and contributes defensively and offensively.’

Kondogbia has left Valencia on bitter terms after launching an extraordinary attack on the club’s president, accusing him of destroying his and the team’s ambition.

The club announced his departure in a blunt 16-word statement on their website: ‘Valencia CF have formalised an agreement with Atletico Madrid for the permanent transfer of Geoffrey Kondogbia.’

The defensive midfielder, who made 27 La Liga appearances for Valencia last season, was central to manager Javi Gracia’s plans, but he was clearly disheartened by what he had seen at the Mestalla in recent months.

Kondogbia is viewed as the ideal replacement for Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey

President Anil Murthy has sold the club’s best players, with four big sales this summer bringing in just £54m.

The exodus included Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin, who went to Villarreal, Rodrigo Moreno to Leeds and Ferran Torres to Manchester City.

In addition, Ezequiel Garay was allowed to run down his contract and Florenzi returned to Roma and Jaume Costa to Villarreal, having both been on loan.

While a lot went out, precious little came through the door, with no money being…