Lee Kang-in joins Atlético Madrid for €40m from PSG

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in has transferred to Atlético Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain on a five-year deal for approximately €40 million, the second most expensive move for a Korean player. The 25-year-old brings three trophy-winning seasons from PSG, including two Champions League titles, and will help fill the creative gap left by Antoine Griezmann's departure.

Quick Facts

Transfer completed from PSG to Atlético Madrid
Five-year contract signed
Atlético's third summer signing
Addresses creative void left by Griezmann's departure to MLS
Won consecutive Champions League titles with PSG

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in has completed a transfer to Atlético Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, signing a five-year contract through June 2031. The deal is valued at approximately €40 million (€35 million plus €5 million in add-ons), making it the second most expensive transfer of a Korean player in football history, behind Kim Min-jae's €50 million move to Bayern Munich in 2023.

The 25-year-old brings substantial European pedigree to Atlético, having won 12 trophies during three seasons at PSG, including two consecutive UEFA Champions League titles and three Ligue 1 championships. At PSG, Lee made 124 appearances across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists. He became the second Korean player to win the Champions League after Park Ji-sung. Lee had limited playing time under PSG manager Luis Enrique and suffered a thigh injury in January, appearing as an unused substitute in PSG's recent Champions League finals.

Lee began his career at Valencia's academy at age 10, making his first-team debut in October 2018 in the Copa del Rey, eventually accumulating 62 appearances for the club. He joined Mallorca in August 2021 for a two-year spell before signing for PSG in summer 2023. The midfielder has earned 50 caps for South Korea, scoring between 10 and 11 goals internationally, and featured in all three group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup, where South Korea was eliminated.

Atlético announced Lee as their third summer signing, following Danish midfielder Morten Hjulmand and Spanish left-back Alejandro Grimaldo. He arrives to address the creative void left by Antoine Griezmann's departure to Orlando City in Major League Soccer. Atlético finished fourth in La Liga last season and reached the Copa del Rey final. The club begins its 2026-27 season on 20 August against newly-promoted Málaga at home.

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#Atlético Madrid #soccer #Champions League #midfielder #Paris Saint-Germain #transfer #Lee Kang-in #football transfer #Korean player #South Korea

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Lee Kang-in's €40 million transfer marks a significant midfield reinforcement for Atlético Madrid as the club addresses the creative gap following Antoine Griezmann's departure to MLS. For Atlético's competitive standing in La Liga and European competition, Lee brings verified European pedigree (124 PSG appearances, two Champions League titles, 50 South Korean caps), while for PSG, the sale represents capital recovery from a player with limited recent playing time under Luis Enrique. The deal ranks second historically among Korean player transfers and affects squad depth across both clubs heading into the 2024–25 season.

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2009

Wire

Lee Kang-in joins Valencia academy at age 10

Jan 1, 2022

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Lee plays in 2022 World Cup for South Korea

Jan 1, 2026

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Lee wins two Champions League titles and three Ligue 1 titles at PSG

Jul 25, 2026

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Lee completes transfer to Atlético Madrid on five-year contract

Jul 25, 2026

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Atlético Madrid announces signing of Lee Kang-in from PSG

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