LaLiga
Lee says Atleti must aim to 'win everything'
Atletico Madrid recruit Lee Kang-in said the club's ambition should be "to win everything" ahead of its LaLiga opener against Malaga on Thursday morning.… Show More
Atletico Madrid recruit Lee Kang-in said the club's ambition should be "to win everything" ahead of its LaLiga opener against Malaga on Thursday morning.
Atleti becomes the first of Spanish football's 'big three' to get its league campaign under way when last season's Segunda Division play-off winner visits the Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone's side finished fourth in the table last season, which led to suggestions its iconic Argentine head coach could walk away from a role he took in 2009.
But Simeone opted to stay, and Lee's €40m move from Paris Saint-Germain has headlined its ambitious summer transfer business, with Cristian Romero, Morten Hjulmand and Alejandro Grimaldo the other big-name signings.
Lee helped PSG win back-to-back editions of the Champions League in the last two seasons, winning 12 trophies in total with the French giant, so he knows what it takes to lift silverware.
At his official unveiling, the South Korea international – who previously played for Valencia and Mallorca – said: "I'm very happy to join this great club.
"I come with a lot of desire to help the club win titles. My ambition is to win everything.
"I lived in Spain since I was a child. and I always knew what a great club this was. Since I was told about Atletico's interest, I wanted to join to win titles.
"Since I left Spain, I often thought I had to come back to play here again. It was the place where I grew up and I really wanted to come back.
"I've got a lot of ambition. We are going to work hard to be able to give a lot of joy to all Atletico fans."
Lee scored 16 goals and provided 16 assists in 124 appearances during his time with PSG, though his game time was limited due to its star-studded attacking options, with Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ahead of him in the pecking order.
He has inherited the number seven shirt worn by Atleti great Antoine Griezmann, who departed for Orlando City this summer as the club's all-time leading scorer.
"As we all know, the number seven at Atleti is a special number that has been worn by many legends," Lee said.
"I try not to think about it, I think about the day to day so I can help the team. That's what I'll do until the last day I wear this shirt."
Malaga is back in the big time for the first time since 2017-2018, though it has been quiet in the transfer market, only spending €300k to bring in Juan Cruz, Fernando Calero and Jose Salinas.
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