Simao, the portugal midfielder, completed a 4-year contract with Athletico Madrid, leaving Portugal’s benefica. Benefica reported that the deal was worth a whopping 27.3 million (2o million euros). Benefica is also holding the option to take 2 players from the Athletico Madrid side. Simao seemed very happy with the move.
” I chose a move to Atletico because they presented me with a very ambitious project,’ Simao told a news conference at his presentation. My objective is to win things. I will work hard to do this, the club are signing good players and we should be in the top three in the league.’
Simao’s signing takes the season spending of Athletico over the 60 million euro-mark. The club recently sold their top scorer, Fernando Torres to Liverpool for 36 million euros. Athletico wasted no time in putting the money into some new recruits.
Along with Simao, Atletico have signed Uruguay striker Diego Forlan from Villarreal for 21 million euros, midfielder Raul Garcia from Osasuna for 13 million, Brazilian midfielder Cleber Santana from Santos for six million and Spain midfielder Luis Garcia from Liverpool for four million.
The 27-year-old became Benefica’s captain and leading scorer, heliping them win the Portuguese title in 2005. He has 55 caps for portugal and was voted Portuguese player of the year last year.