Kang-in Lee’s €40m move to Atletico Madrid marks landmark transfer for Korean football

Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of South Korea international Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth up to €40m, making it the second most expensive transfer for a Korean player in football history.

The Spanish club will pay PSG €35m up front, with a further €5m in easily achievable add-ons, according to South Korean media reports. The move is Atletico’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Morten Hjulmand and Alejandro Grimaldo.

Only the €50m transfer of defender Kim Min-jae from Napoli to Bayern Munich in 2023 has cost more for a Korean player. Kang-in Lee’s fee surpasses the €30m Tottenham paid Bayer Leverkusen for Son Heung-min in 2015, underlining the rising market value of South Korean footballers in European football.

Historic step for Korean player in La Liga

Media outlets in Seoul have hailed the transfer as a milestone, describing Kang-in Lee as the first Korean player to join one of La Liga’s “big three”. Atletico are widely regarded as having firmly established themselves alongside Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of Spanish football in recent years through their domestic and European performances.

The move also represents a significant statement of intent by Atletico as they look to strengthen Diego Simeone’s squad for both domestic and European competitions. Club sources view the 24-year-old’s signing as a major boost to their ambition of challenging consistently for major honours.

Simeone fit backed by Spanish experience

Reports from the South Korean capital suggest that adapting to Simeone’s demanding style and tactical approach should not present a major problem for Kang-in Lee, given his long-standing experience in Spanish football.

The attacking midfielder joined Valencia’s academy at the age of 10 and rose through the ranks before making his first-team debut. He later moved to Mallorca, where his performances in La Liga earned him a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.

PSG were impressed by his displays during his time in France, particularly his technical ability and versatility in advanced midfield and attacking roles. That form has now been rewarded with a return to Spain at one of the country’s leading clubs.

European pedigree at 24

At 24, Kang-in Lee already has considerable experience in European football, having played in both Spain’s top flight and in one of Europe’s major leagues with PSG. Atletico see that background as crucial as they seek to compete on multiple fronts in the coming season.

The scale of the fee, the status of the buying club and the reaction in South Korea underline how the transfer is being viewed as a landmark moment – both for Atletico Madrid’s squad-building and for the broader profile of Korean players in Europe’s elite competitions.