Colombian striker Jackson Martinez has put an end to all the endless speculation surrounding his future by confirming that he will be signing for Atletico Madrid this summer.
The 28-year-old striker had been linked with a move to AC Milan and Arsenal, but the Colombian forward revealed he would be penning a four-year-contract with Los Rojiblancos.
“I can confirm I am going to Atletico,” he is quoted by Spanish publication AS, after Colombia’s exit from the Copa America.
“I am going there for four years but I still do not know when I will be introduced.”
He added: “I have had great progression, always learning, always growing and now I’m going to Atletico where I hope to help the team and continue to grow as a player.”
Atletico have a great tradition of signing top strikers around the world. So many great strikers have graced Calderon over the years – Fernando Torres, Radamel Falcao, Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa, Diego Forlan and many more – and Diego Simeone will be hoping that Martinez will carry forward the same tradition at the club as well.
Martinez comes a direct replacement for Mario Mandzukic, who joined Juventus earlier this week. Although he is not a like for like replacement for the Croatian, but the Colombian striker certainly knows where to put the ball in. He spent three great years at Porto, where he scored over 90 goals in all competitions. Last season, he made 30 league appearances for the Portugal club, scoring 21 goals and adding seven more in the Champions League.
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