MADRID, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid on Tuesday confirmed the signing of French international midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Valencia for a fee thought to be in the region of 20 million euros.
The 27-year-old has been allowed to move even though the transfer window closed at the start of October after Atletico were given 30 extra days to sign a replacement for Thomas Partey, who joined Arsenal on the last day of the transfer market.
Kondogbia has agreed to a contract for the rest of this season and three more and will add to Atletico's midfield options alongside Koke, Hector Herrera, Lucas Torreira and Saul Niguez.
"A talented player with great physical power has arrived at Atletico and he does so to govern the midfield and also to create chances in the rival penalty area," commented the Atletico website.
Kondogbia is yet another key player to leave Valencia since the end of last season, joining Ezequiel Garay, Rodrigo Moreno, Dani Parejo, Francis Coquelin, Ferran Torres and Cristiano Piccini, who have all departed without anyone signed to replace them. Less than a month ago Kondogbia expressed his frustration with a post on social media accusing the club of "misleading" both himself and coach Javi Gracia. Enditem
