Key keywords: Kang-in Lee, Atletico Madrid, PSG transfer, €35m transfer fee, La Liga new arrival, Atletico Madrid number 7, South Korean international footballer, 2024 summer transfer window On Thursday, La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid officially confirmed the signing of 23-year-old South Korean attacking midfielder Kang-in Lee from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, in a deal worth €35 million, ending months of speculation over the player’s future. The talented left-footed playmaker has signed a five-year contract with the Madrid-based club, and will take over the iconic number 7 jersey, previously worn by Atletico legends including Antoine Griezmann, Sergio Aguero and David Villa, a clear signal of the club’s faith in his ability to become a core part of Diego Simeone’s squad for the coming years. Kang-in Lee is no stranger to La Liga, having spent four seasons with Valencia between 2019 and 2023, where he made 92 first-team appearances and registered 11 goals and 12 assists, earning a reputation as one of the most promising young creative players in European football. He joined PSG in a €22 million deal last summer, but struggled to secure regular first-team minutes under head coach Luis Enrique, making only 18 starts across all competitions last season despite impressing in limited game time with his sharp passing, exceptional set-piece delivery and willingness to contribute to defensive work off the ball. The transfer comes as a huge coup for Atletico, who have been searching for a creative attacking option to fill the gap left by Antoine Griezmann’s recent departure to Inter Miami. Atletico’s sporting director Andrea Berta revealed the club had been tracking Kang-in Lee for over 12 months, and highlighted his versatility as a key selling point: he is capable of playing as a left winger, central attacking midfielder or even a deep-lying playmaker, giving Simeone multiple tactical options for the upcoming La Liga and Champions League campaigns. For PSG, the sale allows them to register a €13 million profit on the player while freeing up space in their squad and balancing their finances to meet UEFA Financial Fair Play requirements, as they continue to reshape their squad ahead of the new Ligue 1 season. Kang-in Lee is already in Madrid completing his medical and will be presented to fans at the Metropolitano Stadium this weekend, with the player releasing a short statement saying he is “incredibly excited to return to La Liga and join one of the biggest clubs in the world, and cannot wait to give everything for the Atletico fans and help the team fight for every trophy possible.” The signing is also expected to deliver significant commercial benefits for Atletico, with Kang-in Lee being one of the most popular sports stars in South Korea, opening up huge new commercial and fan engagement opportunities across East Asia.