Atletico Madrid signs Hector Herrera on free transfer

Shortly after announcing Rodri's departure, Atletico Madrid has completed the free transfer of former Porto star Hector Herrera.

Hector Herrera in action for Porto

Atletico Madrid has announced the signing of midfielder Hector Herrera on a free transfer after the Mexico international left Porto.

The 29-year-old's agreement was confirmed shortly after Atletico said Manchester City had triggered the €70million (£63m) release clause of Rodri.

However, Herrera will be expected to offer slightly more of a threat in the final third than Rodri and he will sign a three-year contract at the Wanda Metropolitano on Thursday.

Motivado y con mucha ilusión por llegar a un equipo histórico como el @atleticodemadrid y muy feliz por jugar en la mejor liga del mundo @laliga nos vemos pronto colchoneros pic.twitter.com/uYU3MtOYMV

— Héctor Herrera (@HHerreramex) July 3, 2019

 

The former Pachuca star spent six years in the Primeira Liga with Porto, winning one league title in that time.

An all-action box-to-box midfielder, Herrera had long been linked with Atletico due to his style of play being deemed suitable for Diego Simeone's system.

He becomes Atletico's fifth signing of the close season following former Porto team-mate Felipe, Renan Lodi, Nicolas Ibanez and Marcos Llorente, while Joao Felix is also expected to join the club from Benfica.

"Motivated and very excited to come to an historic team like Atletico Madrid and very happy to play in the best league in the world," he tweeted.