Atletico Madrid officially announced Lee Kang‑in's arrival by unveiling his new number 7 jersey, a symbol of the South Korean talent's return to the club. The video released on August 3 (Korean time) shows the player in casual wear before stepping in front of the camera with both home and away kits, holding the South Korean flag.
What did the club reveal in the video?
The clip features Lee wearing the red home shirt and the white away kit, both in the club's traditional colours. The accompanying photos show him celebrating while raising his national flag, reinforcing his connection with the fans. The post highlights that the number 7, previously worn by Antoine Griezmann, returns to a player with high offensive potential.
Why does this signing matter for the team?
Lee Kang‑in joins after leaving Paris Saint‑Germain on July 25, returning to the "football hometown" where he began his youth career at Valencia at ten. With 135 official matches in Spain, his La Liga and Champions experience makes him a key addition to revitalize Atletico's midfield, which aims to improve after a 2025 season that ended 4th in La Liga with 57 points and a recent LLLWW run.
What administrative hurdles remain?
Despite the unveiling, Lee has not yet completed mandatory military service procedures in South Korea. He received a special exemption allowing only four weeks of basic training and 544 hours of sports‑related community service, but the final training phase is still pending. Consequently, he missed the friendly against Manchester United in Stockholm on August 2.
What lies ahead for Lee Kang‑in and Atletico?
The club scheduled an official press conference on August 8 and expects Lee to make his debut in the friendly against Manchester City on August 9 at Seoul World Cup Stadium. With the defense conceding 32 goals while scoring 51 this season, the manager hopes the new number 7 will add creativity and goals, helping to narrow the 22‑point gap with league leaders Barcelona.
