‘Simeone convinced me to pick Atleti’

Martin Demichelis has explained that Diego Simeone helped convince him to accept a contract offer at Atletico Madrid.

The Argentine centre-back has this afternoon had his move to Atleti confirmed by the club, having passed a medical and signed a one-year deal.

Accepting this offer with Los Colchoneros came for the 32-year-old at the expense of turning down former club River Plate and Malaga, who had put forward terms for a renewal on his deal that had expired in June.

“I have to admit that it was quite a difficult season because there were these two clubs, to whom I am eternally grateful,” explained Demichelis to reporters today.

“At River I trained as a player and I went to Argentina [this summer] thinking of staying there, and then I had the renewal offer from Malaga, where I have spent two-and-a-half wonderful years that were super intense.

“And after that Atletico Madrid appeared. El Cholo Simeone was one of those involved in convincing me to join this group.

“Clearly him being from Argentina means he has a little more knowledge of my career and my performances of recent years. He was one of the major participants in determining why I have decided to come to Atletico.”

Tags Demichelis River Plate Simeone
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