Atletico Madrid confirm Diego Godin replacement with Porto signing
Atletico Madrid have agreed to sign Brazilian defender Felipe from FC Porto for a fee of around €20m (£17.7m).
The 30-year-old made 142 appearances during his three-year stay in Portugal, helping the club win the 2017/18 Primeira Liga title.
Godin’s replacement: Five key things to know…
- Atleti have a number of legends leaving this summer, including Godin, Griezmann and Juanfran.
- Godin has been a stalwart at the heart of Simeone’s defence for nine years, winning four major honours.
- Felipe played 142 games in three seasons for Porto, winning the 2017/18 Primeira Liga.
- The 30-year-old also has one cap for Brazil.
- He will join Atleti in July for a fee of around €20m (£17.7m).
https://audioboom.com/posts/7266091-the-season-defining-story-from-each-of-europe-s-top-five-leagues
Diego Simeone is set for a massive summer overhaul at Atletico, with a number of stars already announced to leave the club, including Antoine Griezmann and defenders Diego Godin and Juanfran.
And Brazil international Felipe is the start of that rebuilding process, signing on a three-year deal at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium, and will arrive at the club on July 4.
A statement on Atletico’s official website announcing the deal said: “Atlético de Madrid and Porto have reached an agreement for the transfer of the Brazilian centre-back [Felipe] on July 4 on a three-year contract, pending receipt of the international transfer certificate (CTI).
“He is a versatile defender, with experience and leadership skills, having already worn the captain’s armband at his previous club, Porto. He arrived at the Portuguese team in the summer of 2016 after his good performance with Corinthians. With the Brazilian team, he won several titles such as the 2012 Club World Cup, the 2013 Paulista Championship and the 2015 Brasileirao.
“After that, he arrived in Europe to join Porto. Since his arrival in Portugal, he took up a position in the defence of the ‘Dragons’, playing 142 games in the three season.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
“In addition, despite his position of central defence, the Brazilian scored 11 goals during his time at Porto. Rapid defence and with good vision of play with the ball, his dominance in the air makes him defensively solid, in addition to his danger every time he joins the attack.
“With him in defence, Porto have managed to keep a clean sheet 18 times this season, the highest in the Primeira Liga. Felipe also has experience in European competition, having played a total of 27 Champions League matches with the Portuguese team.”
Porto’s Brazilian exodus
Atletico Madrid obviously have a big summer ahead as they try to replace some of their club legends, but the same could also be said for Porto.
Felipe has now become the second Brazilian defender to leave the club, with Eder Militao already having agreed a deal to join Atleti’s rivals, Real Madrid, later this summer in a £42.7m deal.
Porto finished two points behind fierce rivals Benfica at the summit of the Primeira Liga table this season, and having managed just one title win in the last six seasons they will need to heavily reinforce their squad during the current window to keep pace with the Lisbon club.
