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Lee Kang-in's debut and early success with Atlético Madrid

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2026-09-22 02:59 UTC → 2026-09-30 14:23 UTC · added ~~removed~~

South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in completed a five-year transfer to Atlético Madrid in July 2026 for a reported €40 million. Following his medical, he traveled to Seoul for the 2026 Coupang Play Series, where he made his official debut as a substitute in a 3-1 loss to Manchester City on 9 August 2026. On 19 August 2026, Lee made a significant impact in his LaLiga debut against Málaga CF at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Entering the match in the 57th minute, he scored the opening goal in the 70th minute with a left-footed curling shot, helping secure a 2-0 victory. He was named match MVP, with Spanish media outlets such as AS and Marca noting he has proven to be a ‘high-quality player rather than just a commercial signing’. By early September, Lee had integrated quickly into the squad, recording one goal and one assist in his first three appearances. Following a strong performance against Sevilla, manager Diego Simeone leaned toward a ‘Plan A’ lineup for the fourth-round away game against Athletic Club, featuring Lee in an attacking position alongside Alex Baena and Ademola Lookman. However, on 5 September 2026, Atlético Madrid suffered their first La Liga defeat of the season, losing 0-3 to Athletic Club at San Mamés. On 21 September 2026, Lee helped lead Atlético Madrid to a 2-1 victory against Real Madrid in the La Liga Madrid Derby, moving the club into second place in the league standings. ~~Lee played 89 minutes and contributed to both of Atlético’s goals. The match was marked by a controversial first-half tackle involving Lee and Federico Valverde.~~ By late September, reports emerged that Atlético Madrid is monitoring Olympique Lyonnais attacking midfielder Pavel Šulc. Concurrently, South Korean media have criticized national team coach Robert Moreno regarding Lee’s tactical deployment.

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