The Belgium international left Borussia Dortmund after four years to join the Spanish giants.
Axel Witsel has opened up on his meeting with Diego Simeone, which led to his decision to join Atletico Madrid.
The Rojiblancos signed Witsel on a free transfer after his contract at Dortmund ended in June. The Belgian star has a decent chance of becoming a starter under Simeone, who has already spoken to the midfielder about his squad plans.
“I decided to come here because for me it’s a top club,” Witsel said. “I think Atletico Madrid is one of the eight best clubs in the world, and I really wanted to stay in the top level after Dortmund.
“We talked [with Simeone] a few weeks ago. We had directly a very good feeling. He told me, ‘I remember you from 2013’, when I played with Zenit at the old stadium.
“I knew he wanted me in the team and I think this is really important when you arrive in a new club. I didn’t need my brother Yannick [Carrasco] to tell me I had to come to Atletico Madrid, in my head it was already clear.”
Simeone will have Witsel and Rodrygo De Paul as his defensive midfielders next season. Hector Herrera, who has a similar profile, left Atletico to join Houston Dynamo earlier this summer.
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