Here we go! Atlético Madrid icon makes stunning move to La Liga newcomer
Deportivo de A Coruña are closing in on the most high-profile signing of their return to the big time: Atlético Madrid's long-serving defender José Giménez is moving to Riazor.
Details: According to Fabrizio Romano, Deportivo have reached a full agreement with Atlético Madrid for the 31 year old Uruguayan centre-back. The deal is a one-year loan, with the Galician club covering part of the player's salary. The defender did not train with the Atlético group this morning as he waited for the move to be finalized.
For Giménez, this marks the end of a true era in Madrid. The Uruguayan joined Atlético back in 2013 as an 18 year old from Danubio and went on to become one of the symbols of the Simeone era, winning two La Liga titles, the Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Spanish Super Cup with the club. Recent years, however, have been cruel to him: injuries limited the defender to just 16 La Liga appearances last season, and he did not play a single minute at the World Cup, where Uruguay crashed out in the group stage. With his contract running until 2028, Atlético were ready to listen to offers, and the veteran himself was open to a fresh start. He gets it in A Coruña, where the newly promoted side, back in La Liga after an eight year absence and already buoyed by a win over Valencia, are assembling an ambitious squad featuring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and now one of Uruguay's most experienced internationals, with 97 caps to his name.
It's worth noting that Giménez leaves Atlético after 13 years at the club, and this deadline day has been a busy one for Simeone's side: the Rojiblancos have also finalized the loan signing of Canadian striker Jonathan David from Juventus.
Reminder: Major twist at Atlético! Julián Álvarez is back with the squad.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
