Atletico Madrid have officially confirmed the signing of Matt Doherty after the defender “mutually agreed” to terminate his Tottenham Hotspur contract.
He has been a loyal servant to the North London club during his time there, but will now be playing his football for the Spanish giants.
Matt Doherty Joins Atletico Madrid After Terminating Tottenham Contract
👍 @mattdoherty20 passed his medical which took place at @ClinicaNavarra. pic.twitter.com/aoEqWCFzaw
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 31, 2023
Why Has Matt Doherty Left Tottenham?
Although he had fallen out of favour under Antonio Conte, that was not the primary reason behind his contract termination. In fact, Spurs were initially keen on the defender’s move being nothing more than a loan deal but were forced into the termination due to Premier League rules stating that a team can have no more than eight players out on loan to foreign clubs.
Therefore with the arrival of Pedro Porro, the club decided it was best to terminate the Irish full-back’s contract and allow him to join Atletico on a free transfer. Not only does relieve the player’s wage demands, but also allows a player who has respected the club throughout his time there the move he wanted.
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For both parties, this was the best outcome.
A great Signing
However, it is also a fantastic signing for Atletico Madrid. Whilst he does not necessarily fit the typical Diego Simeone mould of a defensive full-back, he is extremely talented and will improve the squad without question.
When you factor in the financial savviness of the deal on top of that, the move only starts to look even better for the Spanish side.
Another Player Departs Tottenham for Atletico Madrid
This is not the first time a player has made the switch from Spurs to Atletico. The most recent example is Kieran Tripper, who has since returned to the Premier League to play for Newcastle United.
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Trippier’s spell in Spain was incredibly successful, with the defender developing all aspects of his game under Simeone’s watch. Doherty has the ability to be just as good, once being hailed as “sensational” by ex-Tottenham player Jermaine Jenas. If the Irishman’s spell at the club is even half as impressive as Trippier’s, this will be considered a very good signing by the club.
