Atletico Madrid secure Lee Kang-In in €40m PSG transfer
The Spanish club has finalised the acquisition of the 25-year-old from Paris Saint-Germain on a contract running until June 2031, with the reported fee reaching €40 million.
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-In from Paris Saint-Germain, a move that signals a significant shift in the club’s midfield strategy. The Spanish institution announced on Saturday that Lee has agreed to a contract running until June 2031, securing his long-term presence at the club.
While Atletico Madrid did not disclose the specific financial terms, reports indicate the transfer fee lies between 35 million and 40 million euros, equivalent to approximately $39.8 million to $45.5 million Australian dollars. The acquisition represents a substantial investment in a player who has recently contributed to Paris Saint-Germain’s success, including helping the French club win consecutive Champions League titles.
Lee, 25, brings considerable experience to the La Liga side, having made 124 appearances and scored 16 goals for PSG since joining in 2023. His career trajectory includes an earlier stint in Spain, where he played 62 games for Valencia’s academy and senior side after moving from his birthplace of Incheon at age 10, followed by a period at Mallorca before his move to the French capital.
The timing of the transfer addresses a specific structural gap within Atletico Madrid’s squad. Lee is expected to fill the creative void left by Antoine Griezmann, the club’s all-time top scorer, who has departed for Major League Soccer. This departure leaves a notable absence in the attacking midfield roles that Lee is positioned to occupy.
The move comes as Atletico Madrid look to build on a previous season where they finished fourth in La Liga and reached the Copa del Rey final. Lee’s arrival adds depth to a squad that must now integrate a player with international experience, including his participation in all three group-stage matches for South Korea at the 2026 World Cup, where the team failed to advance after two losses.
The integration of Lee follows a period of transition for the club, with the departure of key figures like Griezmann necessitating a recalibration of their offensive capabilities. His performance at the highest level, combined with his technical background developed in Spain’s youth systems, positions him as a central figure in Atletico’s plans for the coming seasons.
The transfer highlights the ongoing fluidity in European football’s top tiers, with significant talent moving between major leagues. As Atletico Madrid prepares for the upcoming campaign, the focus will shift to how effectively Lee can replicate his goal-scoring output from PSG within the tactical framework of the Spanish side.
