"Atletico represent me a lot, it's a big leap in my career"

Spanish international winger Alex Baena remarked on Wednesday that his signing for Atletico Madrid is "a big leap" in his career, expressed his "desire" to be coached by Diego Pablo Simeone, because he is a "very demanding" coach, and considered that the Madrid side is the one that “most” represents him because of his "character".

"Very happy. A big leap in my career. I'm coming to one of the best clubs in Spain and Europe. For me, it is a huge satisfaction to be here. I'm very happy," he told the club's official media after completing his move to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, with whom he has signed a five-year contract until 2030.

"Atletico is the club that represents me the most, because of its values, its character, the fans, the coach and the players, and that feeling also represents me a lot," said the player, who comes from Villarreal, for whom Atletico paid 42 million euros in fixed payments plus thirteen million euros in variables for his transfer.

On 21st July, at the start of the pre-season, he will be put under the orders of Diego Pablo Simeone, his new coach at Atletico Madrid. "I know he is a very demanding coach. I also like to be pushed, because that's how they get the best out of me. I'm really looking forward to him coaching me," he explained. In August, on matchday two against Elche, it will be his debut at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where he has already played as an away player.

"It was one of the games I liked the most, because the pitch was spectacular, how it was pressing the opposing team and how they were cheering their team on. I've had to come and they've come back, because there are times when the fans carry the team in their arms," he said.