Raul Jimenez has been confirmed as an Atletico Madrid player for the next six years. Negotiations came to an end this morning, according to Spanish sources, thus confirming the player will join La Liga Champions before the end of this week.
This is a record breaking deal for Mexican football. Jimenez will become the most expensive transaction involving a native player, surpassing Héctor Herrera’s move to FC Porto in 2012 -for 8 million euros- and Manchester United’s purchase of Javier Hernández for six million, back in 2010.
Jimenez, 23, is one of Mexico’s most promising young players. He made his debut in 2011 for Club America and has played there ever since. Raul was part of the Olympic team that won the Gold Medal in 2012, and after returning from that experience, he became a frequent starter for America, coached by Miguel Herrera. One year later, alongside the late striker from Ecuador “Chucho” Benitez, he led the Eagles to their 11th championship.
With nice ball-handling skills and in top form, he was included in the World Cup playoff match against New Zealand, made it into the final squad for Mexico and managed to play a few minutes during the tournament held in Brazil.
