Atletico Madrid make fifth signing

A report carried on Eurosport claims Atletico Madrid have signed Brazilian midfielder Paulo Assuncao as a free agent from Porto.

Assuncao, 28, used FIFA’s Article 17 on transfer regulations to break out of his contract with Porto. Only available to players who have already served three years of their contract, or two years in the case of players aged 28 or over, article 17 effectively allows players to buy out the remaining time on long-term contracts.

Atletico however, are seeking to reach a ‘friendly agreement’ with the Portuguese champs, according to a report on their website.

Assuncao, won three league titles in his three seasons with Porto and will join Czech Republic defender Tomas Ujfalusi, Netherlands defender John Heitinga, France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet and French striker Florent Sinama Pongolle as the new recruits at the Calderon.

Atletico are in the qualifying stages of the Champions League after finishing fourth in the Primera Division last season.

[Source: Eurosport]