José Mari to leave Atlético
Thursday, May 29, 2003
Article summary
On-loan striker José Mari will return to AC Milan after Club Atlético de Madrid decided against buying him.
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No surprise
"I knew it was likely that I would have to leave and go back to Milan," the 24-year-old told a press conference. "The news hasn't come as a surprise." José Mari joined Milan in December 1999 after two years with Atlético but never established himself in the Italian team's first-choice lineup.
Positive experience
He returned to Atlético in a loan deal at the start of this season and performed well enough to earn a call-up to the national side, but the club's financial problems always made a permanent stay unlikely. "It has been a positive experience and I have played lots of games and if I had the chance I would come back to Atlético again," the player added.
New president
Meanwhile, Enrique Cerezo will take over as Atlético president after Jesús Gil resigned on Wednesday. Cerezo will oversee the implementation of a new investment plan designed to raise €36m for the club. Gil still retains a majority shareholding, but it is unclear what he plans to do with his shares, many of which are embargoed by Spain's high court.
