Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Gabriel Paulista, after the player terminated his contract with Valencia. The centre-back will wear the number 4 shirt at his new club, as confirmed in the official statement.

The injury to Jose Maria Gimenez and Cesar Azpilicueta, alongside the departure of Caglar Soyuncu posed a significant challenge for Diego Simeone’s side considering the fixtures ahead. And to bolster their side, they have recruited the former Arsenal defender as a plan B. The Brazilian has signed a short-term deal until the end of the season, and his performances over the next few weeks will determine if Atletico decide to keep him for the long-term.

Gabriel Paulista signs for Atletico Madrid on short-term deal

The 33-year-old has also played for Villarreal in the past, adding to his experience in the Spanish league. And with the Madrid derby and Copa del Rey semifinals coming up, having him in the side could help them cope with the difficulty of the fixtures involved.

Giminez’s return is expected to take a month at the earliest, which is why it was important to have a new starting centre-back. After playing regularly for Valencia this season, the team expects him to slot in right away with little adaptation time needed.

With both Barcelona and Real Madrid out of the Copa del Rey, this is Atletico’s best shot at winning silverware. And they have wisely eliminated the risk on their part by signing Gabriel Paulista on a bargain.