Lee Kang-in Joins Atletico Madrid

[26.07.25] Lee Kang-in Joins Atletico Madrid: €40M Transfer & Inherits Griezmann's Iconic No. 7

South Korea's footballing ace Lee Kang-in (25) has officially completed a marquee move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid! Signing a long-term 5-year deal through 2031, Lee returns to La Liga in style as the heir to club legend Antoine Griezmann, donning the iconic No. 7 jersey.

1. First South Korean to Join La Liga's Big Three: 5-Year Deal Official!

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid set football social media ablaze on July 25 by officially announcing the signing of Lee Kang-in after reaching a complete agreement with PSG. The club confirmed, "We have agreed terms with South Korean international Lee Kang-in, who signs with our club through June 30, 2031." Just three years after leaving RCD Mallorca for France in July 2023, the playmaker makes a triumphant comeback to his footballing roots in Spain.

Boasting 11 La Liga titles, Atletico Madrid stands alongside Real Madrid and FC Barcelona as one of Spain's ultimate powerhouses. With this move, Lee makes history as the first-ever South Korean player to play for a first team among La Liga's top three giants, writing another monumental chapter for Korean football.

In fact, Atleti had been keeping a close eye on Lee's creative passing and seamless La Liga adaptability for years. Following Antoine Griezmann's summer departure to MLS side Orlando City, Atletico acted swiftly, turning their long-standing interest in Lee into a decisive, high-profile signing to fill the attacking void.

The first South Korean to step onto the pitch for La Liga's big three! Lee seals a 5-year deal through 2031, making a heroic return to Spanish football.

2. Staggering €40M Package (~$43.5M): 2nd Highest Transfer Fee in Korean History!

According to local outlets, Atletico Madrid paid PSG a base fee of €35 million plus €5 million in performance add-ons, bringing the total package to €40 million (approx. 67.1 billion KRW). This blockbuster investment highlights Atleti's complete trust and massive expectations for the playmaker.

This marks the second-highest transfer fee ever recorded for a South Korean footballer, trailing only Kim Min-jae's €50 million move from Napoli to Bayern Munich in 2023. It comfortably surpasses Son Heung-min's (LAFC) 2015 transfer from Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspur (€30 million) by €10 million, proving Lee's world-class valuation in European football.

From his Valencia youth days to Mallorca and PSG, Lee has consistently driven up his market value. Major Spanish outlets like Marca emphasized that Atletico's €40M outlay represents one of the most aggressive investments in the club's recent history, keeping football media abuzz.

A massive €40M total package! Lee locks in the 2nd highest transfer fee for a Korean player, right behind Kim Min-jae.

3. Heir to Griezmann: Awarded the Single-Digit No. 7 for the First Time!

In the official reveal video released alongside the announcement, one detail instantly stole the show: the shirt. Atleti showcased Lee's name "KANG IN" stamped above the club's talismanic No. 7 jersey, sending fan excitement into overdrive. The number holds massive weight, having belonged to club legend and icon Antoine Griezmann until last season.

Inheriting the No. 7 clearly signals that Atletico views Lee as the centerpiece of their new era. Having worn double-digit numbers throughout his career—Valencia (16, 20), Mallorca (19), and PSG (19)—this marks the first time Lee will wear a single-digit marquee number (No. 7) in his professional career.

Having sported No. 19 for the South Korean national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Lee now embraces a vital new responsibility at the club level. Beyond a simple number change, it reflects total confidence from the board and supporters, placing Lee front and center as Atleti's new chief creator.

Stepping directly into Griezmann's shoes as the team's prime playmaker! Lee receives his first-ever single-digit shirt number, taking on Atleti's legendary No. 7.

4. Zero-Adaptation La Liga Return: Primed to Fly with PSG Championship DNA

Adapting to Spanish football will be seamless for Lee. Having joined Valencia's youth academy in 2011 at age 10 and spent over a decade in Spain, he is entirely fluent in the culture, language, and tactical style. With 9 goals in 110 La Liga matches and 10 goals in 135 total competitive appearances in Spain, he is expected to hit the ground running immediately.

Meanwhile, Lee's three-season stint at PSG provided invaluable big-stage experience. He posted 16 goals and 16 assists across 124 official appearances (including 12 goals and 14 assists in 80 Ligue 1 games), lifting consecutive league titles and capturing two UEFA Champions League trophies. While squad rotation brought moments of frustration in Paris, joining an Atleti side where he is fully featured offers the ultimate launchpad to take his game to the next level.

Boasting a career tally of 26 goals and 30 assists in 259 professional club matches, along with 11 goals in 50 caps for South Korea, Lee Kang-in is ready for takeoff. With proven top-tier talent and rich experience, all eyes are on Atletico Madrid's new No. 7 as he prepares to light up La Liga once again!

Category	Key Details & Breakdown
1. Contract Terms	5-year deal (through June 30, 2031), No. 7 Jersey (Succeeding Griezmann)
2. Transfer Fee	€35M Base + €5M Add-ons (Total €40M / ~67.1 Billion KRW)
3. All-Time Korean Ranking	2nd Highest Ever (1st: Kim Min-jae €50M / 3rd: Son Heung-min €30M)
4. Spanish Career Record	110 La Liga apps (9 goals) / 135 official apps (10 goals) via Valencia & Mallorca
5. Career Total Stats	Club: 259 apps, 26 goals, 30 assists / A-Match: 50 caps, 11 goals (PSG: 124 apps, 16G 16A)

[Key Takeaways] 5 Summary Points on Lee Kang-in's Atleti Move

1. Big Three Arrival: Signs a long-term 5-year contract with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid through 2031!

2. €40M Mega Deal: Becomes the 2nd most expensive Korean player in history, right behind Kim Min-jae!

3. Iconic No. 7 Shirt: Takes over Griezmann's shirt, wearing his first career single-digit number!

4. Immediate Impact Expected: Over 10 years of Spanish football experience ensures zero transition period!

5. Ready for Takeoff: Departs PSG after 124 matches (16G 16A) to become Atletico's main protagonist!

Related Tags (9): July 25 2026, Lee Kang-in, Atletico Madrid, Atleti, PSG, La Liga, Transfer Fee, Jersey Number 7, Antoine Griezmann