ATLETICO MADRID has signed winger Gelson Martins on a six-year contract after taking advantage of chaos at Sporting Lisbon, the Portugal international’s former club.

Martins, who came through the same academy as Luis Figo and Cristiano Ronaldo, scored 27 goals with 30 assists in 140 appearances for Sporting. He also has 19 senior caps with Portugal, including one in the World Cup victory over Morocco.

The Cape Verde-born winger, who moved on a free transfer, succeeded in getting his release from Sporting after falling out with former president Bruno Carvalho last season and an attack by more than 50 fans at the training ground in May.

“Our club is incorporating a pacy right winger who has also been deployed as a second striker and even right-back,” Atletico said in a statement. “His speed and fine dribbling skills make him a valued addition to our team and a threat to the opposition’s defenders.”

Martins is expected to join Atletico’s preseason training alongside others who were at the World Cup but did not make the final stages of the tournament, including Spain internationals Saul Niguez and Koke.

Other members of Diego Simeone’s squad, including goalkeeper Jan Oblak, midfielder Thomas Partey and forward Angel Correa, flew to Singapore on Tuesday for International Champions Cup (ICC) games against Arsenal on Thursday and Paris Saint-Germain on Monday.

Forwards Luciano Vietto and Kevin Gameiro are expected to feature in those games — although Vietto had been linked with a move to Sporting Lisbon as part of a Martins transfer and Gameiro is expected to join Valencia in the coming weeks.

Martins is Atletico’s fourth addition this summer, following the signing of France international winger Thomas Lemar from Monaco, Spain midfielder Rodrigo’s return from Villarreal and goalkeeper Antonio Adan joining from Real Betis.

Speaking on arrival in Singapore ahead of Atletico’s ICC games against Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain, coach Diego Simeone said Martins would bring competition for places and pace to the squad, as had been shown by his performances for Sporting against Atletico in last season’s Europa League semifinals.

(SD-Agencies)