Spanish midfielder Alex Baena joins Atletico Madrid
Villarreal's Spanish midfielder #16 Alex Baena shoots past Leganes' Peruvian midfielder #05 Renato Tapia (R) during the Spanish league football match between Villarreal CF and Club Deportivo Leganes SAD at La Ceramica Stadium in Vila-real on May 14, 2025. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP)
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The 23-year-old arrives from Villarreal for an unspecified fee, although Spanish media report the deal could amount to nearly 50 million euros ($58.8 million).
"Atletico de Madrid and Villarreal have reached an agreement for the transfer of Alex Baena. The 23-year-old midfielder has signed for our club until June 30, 2030," the Rojiblancos said in a statement.
Baena came through the youth academy at Villarreal and made 148 appearances for the Yellow Submarine, scoring 26 goals and laying on 40 assists.
He spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Girona, before returning to his parent club and cementing his place as the key attacking component at the 2021 Europa League champions.
Baena has 10 Spain caps and was part of La Roja's European Championship-winning squad last summer.
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