Official: Atlético sell Almada to River Plate

Atlético Madrid and River Plate have reached an agreement for Thiago Almada's transfer to the Argentine club, as both entities announced on Saturday. The player will travel to Argentina to join River's squad after just one season at the Metropolitano.

The Madrid club will receive approximately 20 million euros for 50% of his rights, recovering what they invested last summer when he arrived with high hopes. After a season with more setbacks than highlights, Atlético decided to put him on the market, beating off competition from Flamengo who also wanted the Argentine.

Almada returns to his country four years later to help River emerge from their sporting crisis under Chacho Coudet's management. In his only season as a rojiblanco, he made 40 appearances, scoring four goals and providing two assists. Madrid's club wished him luck in their official statement.