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Athletico Madrid have finally confirmed the transfer of Jackson Martinez from Porto for a reported fee of £25 million, according to ESPN, bringing all speculation about the player’s future to an end. The La Liga side offered a four-year contract to the Colombian after his parent club Porto had already confirmed the player’s departure to the Vicente Calderon after they met the release clause.
The 28-year-old striker had a release clause that was activated by Atletico, as the Spanish side looked to find a suitable replacement for Mario Mandzukic, who was sold to Serie A champions Juventus.
In a statement on the club’s website, Atletico’s sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero seemed pleased with the move, and said:
"We are very pleased with the agreement because Jackson Martinez is an extraordinary striker, able to rapidly solve any attacking play inside the box.
“Thanks to his size, he heads very well and interchangeably uses either foot to shoot. I am sure that he will greatly increase the potential of our team and will bring plenty to the group.
“We are delighted with his signing because he is a football player used to competing at a top level in Porto and has shone brightly in important competitions such as the Champions League."
Jackson Martinez began his career in 2004 with Colombian side Independiente Medellín, where he played for five years before joining Mexican club Chiapas. After two good seasons, the striker was bought by Porto for $11million, and he enjoyed three fruitful seasons at the Portuguese side.
His 92 goals in 133 appearances for the club helped them clinch the league title in 2013, and also win two consecutive Super Cups in 2012 and 2013. His goal tally in the recently concluded campaign was impressive as well, managing 32 goals in just 42 games, as his team missed out on the Primeira Liga title. He has an impressive goal-scoring record in the Champions League as well, scoring 13 goals in 24 matches.
Martinez is seen as another quality addition to the team, as Diego Simeone continues to make additions to his Atletico Madrid squad, with 21-year-old Villareal striker Luciano Vietto and Monaco winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco joining the Colombian at the Spanish club.
