J-League club Shimizu S-Pulse have denied reports that their South Korea striker Ahn Jung-hwan will be joining Spanish first division club Atletico Madrid.

A report in Japan claimed Ahn would be joining Atletico Madrid this week in a deal worth £2m. However, his club Shimizu S-Pulse denied the story, and claimed: ‘It’s news to us.’

‘We have heard nothing whatsoever regarding Ahn Jung-hwan. S-Pulse have had no contact (with Atletico) at all,’ S-Pulse spokesman Kazuyoshi Nishizawa added.

Ahn is reported to have picked Atletico despite attracting interest from a number of clubs around Europe.

Ahn made in a name for himself at the World Cup finals when he scored the golden goal that knocked Italy out of the competition.