Vitolo snubs Sevilla to fulfill controversial Atletico move

Days after agreeing to a new contract with Sevilla, Spanish winger Vitolo committed himself to Atletico Madrid in a sensational move which could draw legal attention.

Vitolo will join Las Palmas on loan for the first half of the 2017-18 season before joining Atleti on Jan. 1 on a five-year contract, the Madrid outfit said in a statement Wednesday.

Because of a transfer ban relating to the signing of underage players, Atletico cannot officially register anyone until the new year.

Sevilla president Pepe Castro told reporters recently that Vitolo, his agent, and his father had pledged to renew his contract with the club and that it only required the player's signature.

However, Vitolo changed his mind and became a free agent after he paid his own €37.5-million release clause, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.