Club America and Atletico Madrid reached an agreement that saw Raul Jimenez (pictured) join the European power on August 13, 2014. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Spanish La Liga champion Atletico Madrid has signed Mexico international Raul Jimenez from Club America for a reported fee $14 million, it was announced Wednesday.
The 23-year-old forward, who made one appearance at the recently completed FIFA World Cup, has 26 caps and four goals for the Tricolor.
“Raul Jimenez is player with tremendous projection and he will complete our offensive line,” said Jose Luis Perez, Atletico’s sporting director. “He’s very eager to succeed in his leap to European football and his enthusiasm will make him adapt quickly to our League. He stands out in the aerial game. He protects the ball perfectly to await the arrival of his teammates and has a very powerful shot. He will provide us with interesting alternatives to meet our objectives this season,”
Starting his professional career with Club America in 2011, Jimenez played in 94 Liga MX regular- and post-season matches and scored 35 goals. He also netted twice for the Aguilas in CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) play.
Jimenez won the gold medal 2012 Olympic Football Tournament and captured the 2013 Mexican Apertura title.
Club America, which opens its 2014/15 CCL campaign on August 19 at home against Puerto Rico Bayamon FC, outlasted visiting Atletico Madrid 5-3 on penalty kicks after their friendly last month ended in a scoreless draw at the Estadio Azteca.
