Atletico complete Mandzukic signing
- adamhigginsuk
- Jul 10, 2014
- 2 min read
Moving on: The experienced Mandzukic will act as a replacement for the departing Diego Costa as he joins the Spanish champions (Picture from Zimbio.com)
BAYERN Munich striker Mario Mandzukic has completed his move to La Liga champions Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee.
The Croatian international has signed a four-year deal and is expected to fill the void left by the departure of last season's top scorer Diego Costa to Chelsea for £32 million.
The 28-year-old won seven major titles in his two-year stint at the Bundesliga champions, scoring 33 goals in 54 league appearances after joining from Wolfsburg in 2012.
The sale of Mandzukic comes after Bayern brought in Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who signed a pre-contract agreement in January.
Atletico's sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero told the club's official website: "The incorporation of Mario Mandzukic is great news because he has the features we were looking for to cover this position.
"He's a strong forward, with a great high ball control and a powerful shot. It allows us to start pressurising behind the rival from the beginning, because he works hard on playing the ball out of defence."
Mandzukic scored twice in Croatia's 4-0 win over Cameroon at the 2014 World Cup but his nation did not progress beyond the group stages.
The tournament in Brazil followed another successful season in which he netted 26 goals in all competitions, but Mandzukic is looking forward to a new challenge at the Vicente Calderon.
"Bayern Munich is a great club and now I'm coming to another great institution such as Atletico Madrid. Both are top European teams.
"I'm very happy with my signing with Atleti and hope to help the team's game with my work. I know Atletico's fans are spectacular, very passionate.
"They are part of the team. I'm sure we'll strike the right note."
ATLETICO'S FAMOUS STRIKERS SINCE 2006:
Fernando Torres
Sergio Aguero
Diego Forlan
Radamel Falcao
Diego Costa
David Villa
Mario Mandzukic
Last updated: 10 July 2014 13:13pm
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