Atletico Madrid sign free-agent attacker Marcos Paulo

Madrid, July 5, 2021 (AFP) - Spanish champions Atletico Madrid said on Monday that they have signed free-agent striker Marcos Paulo on a five-year contract.

The 20-year-old is a Portuguese passport holder and youth international but has played all his club football in his native Brazil. He appeared in 24 games for Fluminense of Rio de Janeiro last season, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

Atletico said in their statement that he is right-footed but plays left wing and at 1.86m (6-foot-1) can also play as a main striker.

Atletico have lost centre-forward Moussa Dembele, who made five appearances off the bench, scoring once, in a coronavirus and injury hit spell after joining on loan in January. He has returned to Lyon.