Atlético agree Agüero coup
Monday 29 May 2006
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Sergio Agüero has agreed to join Atlético (©Getty Images)
Club Atlético de Madrid have announced the arrival of three players including Sergio Agüero, a rising star of Argentinian football, while agreeing a fresh contract with Spanish international defender Antonio López and appointing a new sporting director.
Teenage talent
Atlético director Miguel Ángel Gil Marín has confirmed the Primera División side have reached a deal with Argentinian club CA Independiente for the 17-year-old Agüero, who scored 18 goals in 36 league games in 2005/06 and was part of the victorious Argentina team at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup. A fee in the region of €16m has been accepted for the striker, who will sign a six-year contract subject to passing a medical.
Zé Castro capture
"The signings of Mariano Pernía, Zé Castro and Agüero have been agreed," said Gil Marín. Atlético have also snapped up A. Académica de Coimbra defender Zé Castro, a member of Portugal's UEFA European Under-21 Championship squad, with the 23-year-old arriving on a free transfer. Getafe CF defender Pernía, 29, is expected to cost €4m after Atlético included Manu del Moral in the deal, but a permanent move has yet to be confirmed, with Valencia CF also said to be interested in the player.
López agreement
In addition, Atlético full-back López has extended his contract until June 2012. The 24-year-old took advantage of a day-off from Spain's FIFA World Cup preparations to ink the six-year deal. Atlético re-signed López in summer 2004 having sold him to CA Osasuna two years before. Meanwhile, Jesús García Pitarch has replaced Toni Muñoz as Atlético's sporting director. The 43-year-old, who has filled the same role for Valencia CF, will work alongside youth-team coach José María Amorrortu, who has returned to the club after a spell in charge of Real Sociedad de Fútbol.
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