Lee Kang-in, 25, has made a high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid. The South Korean star is set to don the prestigious number 7 jersey for his new club.
Atlético Madrid took to social media on July 25 to unveil their new number 7. The club shared a video showcasing Lee’s jersey, emblazoned with KANG IN and the iconic number 7.
The club confirmed that Lee has penned a long-term deal, keeping him at the Metropolitano until June 30, 2031. Reports from Spain suggest the transfer fee could reach 40 million EUR (about 45.6 million USD), including add-ons.
This landmark signing marks the first time Atlético Madrid, one of La Liga’s Big Three alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona, has recruited a South Korean player.
Lee, who wore the number 19 for South Korea in their 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup qualifying campaign, will sport a new number for Los Colchoneros.
The number 7 shirt at Atlético is steeped in history, most recently worn by club legend Antoine Griezmann until the 2025-26 season.
By handing Lee this iconic number, Atlético is signaling their faith in the young midfielder to become a key figure in their squad.
This marks a significant milestone for Lee, as it’s the first time in his professional career he’s been awarded a single-digit jersey number.
Lee’s professional journey began at Valencia in 2018, where he initially wore number 16 before switching to 20 for the 2020-21 campaign.
His career then took him to Mallorca in 2021, followed by a stint at PSG. At both clubs, he donned the number 19 jersey.
Throughout his club career with Valencia, Mallorca, and PSG, Lee has amassed impressive stats: 259 official appearances, 26 goals, and 30 assists. For the South Korean national team, he’s earned 50 caps and netted 11 goals.