Lee Kang-in Leaves PSG, Atletico Madrid Secures the South Korean National Team Midfielder

Atletico Madrid have officially strengthened their midfield by signing South Korea national team attacking midfielder Lee Kang-in from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) during the 2026 summer transfer window.

The 25-year-old player has signed a five-year contract running until 30 June 2031, as announced via Atletico Madrid's official website on Saturday.

"Atletico de Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have reached an agreement for the transfer of Lee Kang-in, who joins our club until 30 June 2031," Atletico Madrid stated in their official release, dated 26 July 2026.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid spent approximately 35 million euros, equivalent to 713 billion Indonesian Rupiah, to secure Lee Kang-in's services.

This transfer brings an end to the South Korean's spell at PSG, after three seasons representing the French capital club.

During his time with Les Parisiens, Lee Kang-in recorded 124 appearances across all competitions with 16 goals. He also helped PSG lift 12 trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles, three Ligue 1 crowns, and a range of other domestic honours.

Despite this impressive medal haul, Lee Kang-in was never an undisputed regular starter under head coach Luis Enrique.

For the entire 2025/26 UEFA Champions League campaign, he did not feature in the starting line-up once from the quarter-final stage onwards. This situation is widely cited as one of the core factors that pushed him to seek a new challenge, in order to secure a more prominent role at elite level.

This move also marks Lee Kang-in's return to La Liga, the competition that originally developed his reputation.

A graduate of the Valencia youth academy, he made his professional debut with Los Che before progressing to Real Mallorca, then joining PSG in 2023.

Atletico Madrid becomes the third Spanish club of his professional career. This transfer also makes history, as Lee Kang-in is the first ever South Korean player to represent Atletico Madrid's senior first team.

In his official club profile, Atletico Madrid describe Lee Kang-in as a versatile operator capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, right or left winger, and second striker.

His creativity, match reading, dribbling technique, and set-piece quality are highlighted as key attributes that will add fresh attacking variation to Diego Simeone's side.

Before breaking through into top European football, Lee Kang-in won the Golden Ball award at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup as the tournament's best player.

Lee Kang-in will wear the number 7 shirt, the iconic jersey previously worn by Antoine Griezmann. This squad number reflects the significant faith Atletico Madrid have placed in the 25-year-old as a central part of the club's new long-term project.

The signing of Lee Kang-in forms part of Atletico Madrid's squad reinforcement strategy ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Los Rojiblancos are hopeful that Lee Kang-in's competitive experience across La Liga, Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League will raise the standard of the team's attacking unit.

His creativity and positional flexibility are also expected to support Diego Simeone's side as they challenge for both La Liga and UEFA Champions League honours this coming campaign.