Atletico Madrid signed 28-year-old left-sided wing-back Javi Galan from Celta Vigo on a three-year deal. It was one of the pressing matters for Diego Simeone to sign a reliable left-back, and he paid a modest sum of $5.5 million to get their man.Galan established himself as one of La Liga’s most reliable left-backs over the past two years. He arrived at Celta in July 2021 and has been a first-team regular for the Galician club. Simeone was impressed by Javi’s all-action displays full of attacking play, dribbles and inviting crosses.DONE DEAL: Atlético Madrid have signed Javi Galán from Celta Vigo.He won more duels any other player during the 2022/23 LaLiga season.The perfect full-back for El Cholo. 😤 pic.twitter.com/aWHw1pNOrH— Squawka (@Squawka) July 3, 2023 The Rojiblancos have been looking for a left-back for a year now or since the departure of Renan Lodi to Nottingham Forest. Sergio Reguilon arrived on loan from Tottenham, but he failed to impress.Galan is the first of a few expected arrivals at the Metropolitano. Veteran defender Cesar Azpilicueta is to follow, according to various sources in Spain. The former Chelsea captain is 33 years old but can still offer a lot to a top-class team. His leadership skills are also something El Cholo can never get enough of.##NAJAVA_MECA_7353247##The good relationship between Atelticos’ director Miguel Angel Gil Marín, and Celta’s president Carlos Mourino made the agreement go smoothly. To sweeten the deal, Atletico sent their under-used 22-year-old left-back Manu Sanchez to go the opposite direction.Atleti have already signed free agent Caglar Soyuncu for the centre of defence. Meanwhile, they have also sold Geoffrey Kondogbia to Marseille this summer, while Javi Serrano has joined Sturm Graz on loan, and Matt Doherty has been released.
