Coach Diego Simeone played a major role in helping David Villa to choose Atletico Madrid over other teams when he decided to leave Barcelona, the Spain striker said on Tuesday.
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"I have spoken to Simeone and one of the keys to coming here was his confidence," Villa told reporters after passing a medical test with Atletico.
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"I am really looking forward to working for him, and to being able to return that in every training session and every game."
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Spain's all-time leading scorer agreed a move to Atletico on Monday for a fee that could rise to 5.1 million euros if he stays at the Calderon for the next three seasons.
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The 31-year-old's future with the La Liga champions looked uncertain after they signed young Brazil forward Neymar in May, and he was linked with a number of Europe's top clubs before Atletico stepped in.
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Since former Argentina captain Simeone took over at Atletico in December 2011, the club have won the Europa League and the European Super Cup in 2012.
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Last May, they beat Real Madrid to win the King's Cup final and finished third in La Liga to earn a place in theChampions League group stages for next season.
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"Atletico are a team of winners. They have been competing on all fronts in recent years," said Villa, who arrives as a replacement for the departed Radamel Falcao.
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"I am coming to be just one more in the squad and to help a settled team improve and to become even more competitive. I hope I can do my part."
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Villa bore no grudges against his former employers, Barcelona.
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"I have no complaints," he said. "They have helped me from the very first day because they knew I wanted to come and play here. I hope I can be as happy here as I was there."
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No date has been fixed yet for his official presentation.
David Villa would do very well in his new club I must confess so let's see how it goes. Atletico is also a dope club, they proved it last season.