Tiago Joins Atletico Madrid On 1-year Loan

Portuguese world cupper Tiago Mendes joined Atletico Madrid on a one-year deal from Juventus. The 29-year old

midfielder has already played second half of the last season as he joined the Madrid side on loan in January.

The official statement issued by Atletico Madrid read, “The club Atletico de Madrid and Juventus have sealed a deal about Tiago Cardoso Mendes on Monday 16th August. The player will join the practice on Tuesday 17th August.”

The former Chelsea and Lyon man was unsettled in Juventus after the arrival of Diego and Felipe Melo and was loaned out in the mid-season transfer window. However, under coach Quique Sancez Flores, Tiago impressed with the red and whites in the matches he played. He started in the first 11 in 17 matches and came in as a sub in 2 in the next 5 months. Tiago scored 2 goals for the Rojiblancos.

In the FIFA World Cup 2010, Tiago started for Portugal in their second match against North Korea when Deco was injured. He played brilliantly in the game, being responsible for most of the creativity the Portuguese team showed in the match. Especially in the first half, when Cristiano Ronaldo looked inactive, Tiago led the Portuguese attack alongwith Raul Meireles. In the next matches, he started in the first eleven ahead of Deco.

After winnning the Europa League last year, Atletico Madrid concentrated in reinforcements in the teams. In one of my previous articles I have analysed the potential of the new look team. Addition of Tiago to that can only be better for the club.