PST’s Nicolas Mendola hinted at this one yesterday, but today, the reports have finally been confirmed. Spanish champions Atlético Madrid, in search of a replacement for the departed Diego Costa, have signed Croatian forward Mario Mandzukic from Bayern Munich, the club announced today. The 28-year-old, who just finished playing for his country at the 2014 World Cup, moves to Spain with a four-year deal.
The club confirmed the signing on its website this afternoon:
“Atlético de Madrid and Bayern Munich have reached an agreement for the transfer of Mario Mandžukić. The Croatian striker successfully underwent the medical examination in Madrid before signing a contract for four years with our Club.”
The transfer fee was undisclosed.
Acquired by Bayern two years ago, Mandzukic was a part of two Bundesliga titlists and one European champion, scoring 33 league goals during his time in Munich. With the acquisition of former Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowki, however, Mandzukic was in for a sharp downturn in playing time, part of the reason he’s on his way to Madrid.
From Atlético director and Spanish soccer legend José Luis Caminero:
“He’s a strong forward, with a great high ball control and a powerful shot. It allows us to start pressuring behind the rival from the beginning, because he works hard on playing the ball out of defence. He fits well with his attacking teammates and is used to competing at the highest level. He’s a winner, a player used to win titles. He’ll contribute very much.”
For all those reasons, this was an ideal fit for Atlético, particularly given that undisclosed fee is likely to be reasonably low, allowing the cash-strapped club to absorb most of Diego Costa’s fee.
With that tradeoff, Atleti are sacrificing some goal scoring but acquiring a series of traits Diego Simeone will love. Mandzukic is the hardest working forward you’ll find at the top of Europe’s club game.
It allows Atlético to stay close. While asking for a return of 2013-14’s magic may be too much, Mandzukic gives Simeone a player he can work with - a player who allows Atleti’s ethos to remain unchanged. If this year’s success was built on sacrifice, discipline, and belief, the team’s new forward may actually be a better fit than his predecessor, albeit a less prolific one. With Arda Turan, Gabi, and Koke, Atlético have talents who can get the most out of their new, relentless teammate.
The question is whether all of those talents will stick around. Even if they do, it’s unclear the extent to which the club has replaced departed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Where retaining a title is difficult for any club, the task will be even more so for Atleti.
Mandzukic gives them a chance, though. He may not challenge for a Pichichi like Costa did, but he can generate goals. And when Atleti go head-to-head with Real Madrid and Barcelona, they’ll remain the stubborn, disruptive force that stole La Liga from the top two.
