Atletico Madrid sign Vermeeren from Antwerp for reported €25M

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Atletico Madrid announced the signing of central midfielder Arthur Vermeeren from Royal Antwerp on Friday for a reported 25 million euros ($27 million) until 2030.

The 18-year-old has already been capped by the Belgian national team.

"Vermeeren is a new Atletico player after the deal with Antwerp for his transfer, for the rest of the season and six further campaigns," wrote Atletico in a statement.

Vermeeren scored in Antwerp's Champions League group stage win over Spanish champions Barcelona and has captained the club.

Atletico are struggling in La Liga this season, sitting fourth, 11 points behind leaders Girona, but reached the Copa del Rey semi-finals by beating Sevilla on Thursday.

The Rojiblancos brought in Romanian international goalkeeper Horatiu Moldovan from Rapid Bucharest earlier in the January transfer window and sold reserve goalkeeper Ivo Grbic to Sheffield United.