Kang-in Lee, record transfer from Asia and most expensive midfielder

Kang-in Lee, record transfer from Asia and most expensive midfielder

According to Mundodeportivo.

Background

Kang-in Lee, who previously played for Paris Saint-Germain, has catapulted himself into the top three most expensive transfers for Asian players with his move to Atlético de Madrid. His signing is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the club's competitiveness in La Liga and at European level, as Atlético de Madrid continue to rely on talented players to underline their ambitions.

Why this is important

The transfer of Kang-in Lee to Atlético de Madrid is not only a significant step for the player, but also a milestone for Asian football. With a transfer fee of up to 40 million euros, he will become the club's most expensive midfielder and demonstrates the growing importance of Asian talent in the European transfer market. This could also encourage other Asian players to move to the European leagues and further develop their careers.

Key findings

• Kang-in Lee, record transfer from Asia and most expensive midfielder.
• Atlético de Madrid have signed Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain for 35 million euros.
• Kang-in Lee, recorded in Asia and also from the center of the Atlético camp.

Atlético de Madrid confirmed the transfer of Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain last Saturday, July 25th. The Madrid club and the French club agreed on a transfer fee of 35 million euros, which can increase to up to 40 million euros through bonus payments. The 25-year-old player signed a five-year contract until 2031. As expected, his move to Madrid has generated enormous media interest. The news hit not only South Korea with full force, but also the entire football community in Asia, where competition is fierce as to which big stars Europe's top clubs can attract. The South Korean press was also quick to point out that the transfer catapults Kang-in Lee into the top three most expensive transfers in Asian history. With the possible 40 million euros that the transfer cost, Diego Simeone's new protégé is only behind another Asian, the South Korean Kim Min-jae, who moved from FC Seoul to FC Bayern Munich in 2023 for 50 million euros. Kang-in Lee's move to Atlético is similar in second place to the 40 million euro transfer of Uzbek defender Khusanov, who moved to Manchester City for this amount in 2024. In third place is the Japanese Shoya Nakajima, whose move to Al-Duhail in Qatar in 2018 cost 35 million euros. Curiously, there is another great Japanese football legend e, Son Heung-min, is in fifth place on the list, as he moved from Bayer Leverkusen to Tottenham Hotspur in 2015 for 30 million euros. Son also makes it into the top 10 of these rankings with two transfers, as his move from Los Angeles FC in the MLS back to Europe, but this time to Tottenham, for 22 million euros, puts him in tenth place on this list. The list of the most expensive Asian transfers is topped by the following players: Al-Harbi (28.9 million euros), Hidetoshi Nakata (28.4 million euros), Hiroki Ito (23.5 million euros) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh (22.5 million euros). But Kang-in Lee's transfer has not only caused a huge stir geographically. Looking at the economic history of Atlético de Madrid, the Transfermarkt portal notes that the South Korean is now the club's second most expensive purchase in terms of midfielders in history. At the top of this ranking is the Englishman Conor Gallagher, who was signed for 42 million euros before the start of the 2024/25 season. With his move to Kang-in Lee, he displaces players like Rodrigo Hernández and Rodrigo De Paul in the club's historical ranking. The new Atlético midfielder has left the Parc des Princes, but leaves behind a remarkable record of 124 appearances, 32 goals and 32 assists. Atlético has therefore signed one of the most successful Asian players of the moment, Zude m has an exclusive record: he is the only player from his continent to have two UEFA Champions League championship rings in his showcase.

What happens next

After his move, Kang-in Lee is expected to play a central role in Atlético de Madrid's midfield under coach Diego Simeone. The club could benefit from his creativity and game intelligence next season, while also giving Lee the opportunity to develop in one of the strongest leagues in the world. The fans will be eagerly waiting to see how he will integrate into the team and what successes he can achieve with the club.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kang-in Lee?

Kang-in Lee is a 25-year-old South Korean footballer who plays as a midfielder.

Which club does Kang-in Lee come from?

Kang-in Lee comes from Paris Saint-Germain.

Why did Kang-in Lee move to Atlético de Madrid?

The move to Atlético de Madrid has sparked great media interest and is a significant step in his career.

How much is the transfer fee for Kang-in Lee?

The transfer fee is 35 million euros, which can increase to up to 40 million euros through bonus payments.

When was Kang-in Lee's transfer officially confirmed?

The transfer was officially confirmed on July 25th.

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