Australian football fans rejoice, Atlético Madrid are the fourth and final team set to take part in the Melbourne leg of the International Champions Cup in July this year.
Talks between the organisers and the club have been in place for months, as an announcement was due at the beginning of February, but stalled negotiations between the parties meant it would be pushed back a month.
Atlético is the third most successful club in Spanish football, behind Real Madrid and Barcelona. Their silverware credentials include; 10 La Liga titles, 10 Copa Del Rays, two Supercopas de España and in Europe, they have most recently won the Europa League in 2010 and in 2012, and the UEFA Super Cup in 2010 and 2012.
The announcement comes off the back of Atlético’s 1-0 win in the Madrid Derby over cross-town rivals Real Madrid, propelling them four points clear of Real in second on the La Liga table, and eight points behind leaders Barcelona.
Atlético are the third European team announced as part of an expanded ICC in Melbourne, with local side Melbourne Victory joining Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus in a four-team tournament.
Watch 3 of Europe’s best at #ICCMELB. #ICC2016 ticket details available from @ticketek_AU: https://t.co/KfFdp2YsZM pic.twitter.com/w2m7LYRYOE
— Int Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) March 1, 2016
The news of Atlético touring ‘down under’ is set to excite Australian football fans, with last year’s number of more than 200,000 spectators across the three games set to rise dramatically.
Atletico Madrid are set to face Tottenham Hotspur on the 29th of July.
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