Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of Uruguay defender Diego Godin from Villarreal.
Villarreal brought in Carlos Marchena from Valencia earlier this week, paving the way for Godin’s departure.
Godin, 24, has now joined Atletico on a five-year contract after the clubs agreed an initial fee believed to be worth around €8million.
He remains grateful to Villarreal for the role they played in developing his career.
“It is time to jump to a team with more aspirations,” Godin had told Uruguayan newspaper Ovacion while on his break after the World Cup.
“I always like to grow and I recognise that the Yellow Submarines have helped me. I came to a club which allowed me to adapt to European football.”