South Korean national team midfielder Lee Kang-in, who recently joined Atlético Madrid (ATM) in Spain’s La Liga, greeted fans in fluent Spanish for the first time.
Lee took to ATM’s social media on July 26 to share his thoughts about joining the club.
He kicked off his message by shouting AUPA ATLETI!—the club’s iconic cheer and slogan. Lee then expressed his excitement in Spanish, saying that he’s thrilled to join such a prestigious club. He can’t wait to put on the ATM jersey and embark on this new adventure with the fans.
AUPA, a term rooted in Basque language, is an exclamation used throughout Spain to show support and encouragement. Atleti is the affectionate nickname fans use for their beloved club.
From his very first address, Lee demonstrated his respect and genuine enthusiasm for ATM. He not only spoke in fluent Spanish but also embraced the club’s unique cheer, immediately endearing himself to the fanbase.
This transfer marks Lee’s return to Spanish soccer after a three-year hiatus.
A product of Valencia’s youth academy, Lee made his first-team debut in January 2018. He later moved to Mallorca in 2021, where he showcased significant growth over two seasons. During his time with Valencia and Mallorca, Lee appeared in 135 official matches, netting 10 goals and providing 14 assists.
Despite interest from ATM during the 2023 summer transfer window, Lee ultimately signed with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), who offered a higher transfer fee of 22 million EUR (about 25 million USD).
Over three seasons with PSG, widely regarded as one of Europe’s elite teams, Lee collected numerous trophies, including back-to-back Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League titles. He put in solid performances, contributing 16 goals and 16 assists in 124 official matches. However, he found his playing time limited during crucial Champions League knockout stages.
Following Antoine Griezmann’s move to Orlando City, ATM aggressively pursued Lee to bolster their attacking options. The midfielder’s desire to return to Spain aligned perfectly with ATM’s needs, paving the way for this high-profile transfer.
Lee is set to don the number 7 jersey for ATM in the upcoming season.