Atlético Madrid have announced the signing of Obed Vargas from Seattle Sounders, completing a childhood dream for the midfield prodigy.
Vargas joins Atleti on the final day of the European transfer window, signing on a deal through June 2030. Since breaking into the Sounders team in 2021, Vargas has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in North America.
Now 20, he opted to declare for the Mexican national team and has featured for the senior team since 2024. He revealed that he has turned down numerous offers from teams in Mexico in recent months - notably Liga MX giants Club América - but had set his sights on a move to Europe. Specifically, a move to Atlético Madrid was always the dream.
Vargas completes dream move to childhood team
From his youth spent playing on the freezing fields of Anchorage, Alaska, Vargas had always had one eye on the Spanish capital. His childhood coincided with the most successful period in Atleti’s recent history, winning two La Liga titles and making it to the Champions League final twice.
Vargas’ Seattle came up against Atleti in last summer’s Club World Cup and he revealed his long-time allegiance to the Spanish team.
“They’re underdogs, all the time... I think it correlates with my own story,” Vargas said after the game against Atleti. “I think it’s been my mentality all the way through my career.”
After the game Vargas swapped jerseys with Atleti icon Antoine Greizmann, his favorite player. Now, Vargas will get the chance to play alongside him every day with his boyhood team.
But this will not be a moment for Vargas to take it easy. He is in the picture for the Mexican squad for this summer’s World Cup, a chance to represent his nation on home soil. But to ensure that he makes the roster, and maybe even a starting berth, Vargas will need to hit the ground running in Spain and maintain his current development.
“I couldn’t be happier for Obed,” Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer said on Monday. “We’ve seen him grow into a confident, impactful player who has excelled in every situation he’s faced. This is a great moment for Obed and his family, and I have no doubt that he is ready to take on this challenge with Atlético Madrid.”
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