Global Economic Times

Lee Kang-in Leaves PSG to Join Atlético Madrid on 5-Year Deal Worth Up to €40M… First Korean to Join Spain's 'Big Three': KO YONG-CHUL Reporter / Updated : 2026-07-28 20:02:35

Lee Kang-in (25), a star midfielder for South Korean football, has left France's Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to join the Spanish football giant Atlético Madrid (Atleti). With this move, Lee returns to La Liga after three years while becoming the first Korean player to land a spot on the first-team roster of one of Spain’s traditional 'Big Three' clubs.

Atlético Madrid officially announced the signing on its official channels on the 25th (KST), stating, "We have reached a final agreement with PSG for the transfer of Lee Kang-in." The contract runs for five years, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2031. According to reports from Spanish sports outlets such as Marca, the deal includes a base transfer fee of €35 million, with performance-based add-ons of €5 million, bringing the total potential package to €40 million (approx. 67.1 billion KRW).

This marks the second-highest transfer fee for a South Korean footballer in history, trailing only Kim Min-jae's move from Napoli to Bayern Munich in 2023 (€50 million). It also surpasses the €30 million fee recorded when Son Heung-min moved from Leverkusen to Tottenham in 2015.

Atlético Madrid, boasting 11 La Liga titles, is a top-tier prestigious club recognized alongside Real Madrid and FC Barcelona as one of Spain’s big three powerhouses. Atlético had been closely observing Lee's high tactical intelligence and precise left-footed passing ability for several years. In particular, a massive void was left in the attacking midfield options this summer as veteran forward Antoine Griezmann departed for MLS side Orlando City. The club's management pinpointed Lee as the ideal candidate to fill this gap.

This transfer represents a crucial turning point for the player's personal growth and status. After joining PSG from Mallorca in 2023, Lee recorded 16 goals and 16 assists in 124 official appearances across three seasons (12 goals and 14 assists in 80 league matches). During this period, he contributed to the team's massive success, including three consecutive league titles and two UEFA Champions League trophies. However, within PSG's star-studded and deep squad, he faced limitations by being utilized primarily as a squad rotation player rather than securing a firm starting spot. For Lee, who was seeking broader opportunities, moving to Atlético Madrid—where he is expected to be given a core role—became a clear and decisive choice.

The Spanish stage is familiar territory for Lee. Having joined the Valencia youth academy in 2011 at the age of 10 to lay his footballing foundation, La Liga is virtually a second home to him. Having already played 135 La Liga matches (10 goals) during his time with Valencia and Mallorca, he is expected to need minimal time to adapt to the league. Atlético Madrid, led by manager Diego Simeone, demands strict tactical execution based on high pressing and organized defense. Global football attention is now focused on how Lee, who will act as a creative link in attack, will integrate into Simeone’s tactical system.