Atletico Madrid duo sold to Chinese club Dalian Yifang

Atletico Madrid have sold Yannick Carrasco and Nicolas Gaitan to Chinese Super League side Dalian Yifang for undisclosed fees, the La Liga club announced on Monday.

The moves leave Atletico with just 17 senior outfield players for the rest of the season, after Augusto Fernandez also moved to China, and Luciano Vietto was loaned to Valencia.

The 24-year-old Carrasco leaves Atletico after making 124 appearances for the club since arriving in the summer of 2015 from Monaco.

An Atletico statement said: “Our club has reached an agreement with Chinese side Dalian Yifang for the transfer of Yannick Carrasco. A player of great talent, who has always proved his commitment to our colours, leaves us. We wish him the best of luck in a new chapter of his career in China.”

Atletico have not confirmed a fee but reports in Spain have claimed Dalian Yifang have paid €30 million to acquire the Belgium international winger, with his former club Monaco set to get 25 percent of the sale.

Carrasco has scored three goals and set up four more in 17 league appearances this season, eight as a starter.

Nico Gaitan, 30, failed to establish himself as a starter.

Atletico also confirmed Gaitan’s departure, saying: “From Atletico, we wish to thank his commitment while wearing the Rojiblanco colours. We say goodbye to a great footballer who always worked hard for this club.”

The Argentina international arrived at Atletico in 2016 from Benfica and scored four goals in 49 appearances for Atletico since.

The 30-year-old attacking midfielder was linked with several European clubs during the winter transfer window and joins the Asian club on a reported €18m transfer.

Gaitan has made 13 appearances in all competitions this season, his last a 1-0 triumph over FC Copenhagen in last week’s Europa League round-of-32 return leg.

Dalian Yifang, who earned promotion to the top flight of Chinese football for this season after winning the China League One title last year, are coached by Spaniard Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.

The Chinese Super League transfer window closes on February 28th.

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