Celta Vigo midfielder Ferndez seals Atletico deal

Madrid, Jan 1: Spanish football club Atletico Madrid on Friday announced the signing of Celte Vigo’s Argentine midfielder Augusto Ferndez for three seasons and a half.

La Liga heavyweights Atletico officially announced the formalisation of Ferndez’s contract after resolving some outstanding issues in the negotiations.

The player, 29, passed medical tests on Thursday after bidding farewell to Celta Vigo by playing 77 minutes on Wednesday against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga.

Ferndez arrives at Diego Simeone’s side to reinforce the midfield, which suffered a setback following the injury of the Portuguese Tiago Mendes.

Ferndez earned 121 caps with Celta Vigo over a period of three seasons and a half, in which he scored 10 goals.

Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero welcomed the incorporation of Fernández to the team.

“He’s a player of proven experience in the League that will bring quality and competition to a great midfield such as ours,” Caminero said in a statement.

“His incorporation will help us face the demands of having to play three competitions,” he added. “In the club we are delighted with his arrival and during his stay in the League we have been able to confirm that he has great technical and tactical qualities.” IANS