It is official. Atlético Madrid have confirmed the signing of South Korean attacking midfielder Kang-in Lee from Paris Saint-Germain. Atlético de Madrid reached an agreement with Paris Saint-Germain for the transfer of Kang-in Lee, as confirmed by both clubs in official statements. The 25-year-old returns to Spanish football, where he first made his name, and does so as one of Asia’s biggest footballing stars.
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Who is Kang-in Lee?
Born on 19 February 2001 in Incheon, South Korea, Kang-in Lee began his career at the age of eight with his hometown club, Incheon United FC, before leaving South Korea for Spain, where he signed for Valencia in 2011.
A product of Valencia’s youth academy, Lee made his professional debut for Valencia at the age of 17 in 2018, becoming the youngest South Korean footballer to debut professionally in Europe. He was also the first Asian in the history of Valencia CF.
In his debut season, he won the Copa del Rey, before making his UEFA Champions League debut in his second professional season.
After arriving at Mallorca as a free agent in the 2021 summer transfer window, Lee made meteoric progress over two seasons, prompting Paris Saint-Germain to sign him in the 2023 summer transfer window.
He was named the 2019 FIFA U20 World Cup Golden Ball winner and has also won the 2025 AFC International Player of the Year award.
Transfer at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | Kang-in Lee |
| From | Paris Saint-Germain |
| To | Atlético Madrid |
| Transfer Fee | ~€40m |
| Contract Length | Until 30 June 2031 |
| Age | 25 |
| Nationality | South Korea |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Winger |
| Height | 1.73m (5ft 8in) |
| Shirt Number | 7 |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
Career Timeline
| Club | Years | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Incheon United (Youth) | 2009 | Hometown club |
| Valencia (Youth) | 2011–2017 | First Asian at Valencia |
| Valencia B | 2017–2019 | Reserve debut |
| Valencia | 2018–2021 | Copa del Rey, UCL debut |
| RCD Mallorca | 2021–2023 | 73 appearances |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 2023–2026 | 124 apps, 16G, 16A |
| Atlético Madrid | 2026–2031 | Incoming — No. 7 |
Three Years at PSG: The Numbers
In his three years wearing the Rouge & Bleu shirt, Kang-in Lee made 124 appearances, scored 16 goals, provided 16 assists, and added twelve trophies to his collection, including two consecutive Champions League titles, to which he made a significant contribution.
He enjoyed a consistently strong 2024–25 season, playing 49 matches across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing 6 assists, playing a key role in Paris Saint-Germain’s first-ever Champions League triumph.
He then got the 2025–26 season off to the best possible start by scoring PSG’s first goal in the UEFA Super Cup, helping the club get back into the game before going on to win their first-ever trophy in the competition.
His fine performances for the capital club earned him the prestigious award for Asian International Player of the Year 2025.
PSG Career Stats Summary
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 36 | 5 | 7 |
| 2024–25 | 49 | 7 | 6 |
| 2025–26 | 39 | 4 | 5 |
| Total | 124 | 16 | 16 |
Why Atlético Madrid?
Atlético Madrid were on the market for an attacking midfielder following the departure of club legend Antoine Griezmann, and Kang-in Lee notably inherits the No. 7 jersey left vacant by the former France international.
A midfielder rarely used by Luis Enrique in major matches, Lee had understood that the rest of his career would take place away from PSG. At 25 years old, the South Korean wanted consistent playing time.
While he had been announced as a target for Lyon and Monaco to continue in Ligue 1 with more minutes, his first choice had always been to join Atlético Madrid.
The former Valencia and Mallorca player had a strong connection with Mateu Alemany, who is now the sporting director at Atlético Madrid, having previously worked together at both clubs.
Romano also explained that Lee himself had always wanted this transfer, with the personal terms having been agreed upon months ago.
The Deal: How It Happened
The deal, which was first mooted several weeks ago, is expected to bring in nearly €40m for the reigning double European champions — almost double the €22m they paid to sign him from RCD Mallorca in 2023.
Lee will be Atlético’s third summer signing after Spain full-back Álex Grimaldo and Denmark midfielder Morten Hjulmand.
The South Korean international was one of the brightest spots in South Korea’s World Cup campaign. Lee Kang-in stood out as one of the top performers, and he had already made up his mind to leave Luis Enrique’s side this summer.
PSG Trophies Won by Kang-in Lee
| Trophy | Times Won |
|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | 2 (2024–25, 2025–26) |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 (2025–26) |
| Ligue 1 | 3 |
| Coupe de France | 2 |
| Trophée des Champions | 3 |
| FIFA Intercontinental Cup | 1 |
| Total | 12 Trophies |
Welcome to Atlético Madrid
The South Korean has signed until 30 June 2031. The 25-year-old left-footed midfielder can play as an attacking midfielder or on either wing, and stands out for his vision, ball control, passing ability, and striking.
Lee steps into one of La Liga’s most passionate environments under Diego Simeone, wearing the iconic No. 7 shirt. After almost ten years with Valencia, including a six-year stint in their youth academy, and two seasons with Mallorca, the 25-year-old returns to Spanish top-flight football.
Read More: Real Madrid Working on Deal to Sign Rodri from Manchester City
FAQs
How much did Atlético Madrid pay for Kang-in Lee?
Atlético Madrid paid approximately €40m for Kang-in Lee — almost double the €22m PSG originally paid to sign him from Mallorca in 2023.
What shirt number will Kang-in Lee wear at Atlético Madrid?
Lee inherits the iconic No. 7 jersey at Atlético Madrid, left vacant by departing club legend Antoine Griezmann.
How long is Kang-in Lee’s contract at Atlético Madrid?
Kang-in Lee has signed a deal with Atlético Madrid that runs until 30 June 2031.
What did Kang-in Lee win during his time at PSG?
During his three seasons in Paris, Lee collected twelve trophies, including two consecutive UEFA Champions League titles, three Ligue 1 titles, two Coupe de France titles, one UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Intercontinental Cup.
Is this a return to Spain for Kang-in Lee?
Yes. Lee is very familiar with Spanish football, having spent a decade at Valencia from the age of ten, making his professional debut there in 2018 and winning the Copa del Rey, before two further seasons at Mallorca from 2021 to 2023.
