Columbian striker Radamel Falcao has joined “the other club” of Madrid, Atletico in a move which also includes midfielder Ruben Micael. The combined fee for both players will be around €45 million. Atletico have received a similar amount of money from the sale of star striker Sergio “Kun” Aguero.

Radamel Falcao joins Atletico

Falcao’s fee is €40 million and can rise up to a total of €47 million, depending on the performance of the player at the club. Falcao had earlier stated his desire to move to a more testing league. He was expected to follow former Porto boss Andres Villas Boas to Chelsea, and Real Madrid were credited with an interest too, but neither clubs came forward.

Falcao’s release clause is said to be €45 million, but the Portuguese club have agreed to sell him for €40 million and another 5 million for Micael, who was not in the club’s plans anymore. Falcao scored 39 goals last season, 17 of which came in the Europa League (a record).

Porto’s president Pinto Costa had earlier stated that he could only “laugh at” claims of interest on Falcao from Atletico, which seems to have inspired the Spanish club to only improve their interest in the player. And the sale of Aguero only made them look for a successor more vividly.

Though Aguero and Falcao have completely different styles of play, both players can guarantee goals at a good average. Falcao will now go head to head with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo to compete for the “Pichichi” trophy, awarded to the highest goal-scorer of a season.

Atletico Madrid’s other star striker Diego Forlan also seems to be certain to leave Atletico after Inter Milan have shown interest in him as a replacement for their ace marksman Eto’o.

Atletico have not been in the Champions League for the past season and will not take part in the coming edition either. With the arrival of Falcao, will it mean a change in fortunes for the Spanish club?

Tags: Atletico, Champions League, Football, Radamel Falcao, Ruben Micael, Sergio “Kun” Aguer