Simão wings his way to Atlético

Simão is to end his long association with SL Benfica after agreeing a €20m deal with Club Atlético de Madrid, who have made room for the Portugal winger by allowing Bulgarian midfielder Martin Petrov to join Manchester City FC for €7m.

Drought ended
The 27-year-old's last sojourn in Spain lasted two seasons, as a €15m transfer from Sporting Clube de Portugal to FC Barcelona in 1999 was followed by just three goals in 46 Primera División games. Simão returned to Lisbon in 2001 as a €12m Benfica acquisition and was ever-present in 2004/05 as the Eagles won a first Liga title for eleven years, scoring 15 goals. He added eleven more last season, taking his tally to 76 in 172 league games over six seasons.

Busy summer
Simão, who has scored 12 goals in 54 international matches and represented Portugal at UEFA EURO 2004™ and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, is the latest high-profile signing at the Vicente Calderón, with coach Javier Aguirre having already recruited Diego Forlán, Luis García, Cléber, Christian Abbiati and Raúl García. Fernando Torres is the biggest name to head through the exit door, although Petrov has also been a loyal servant having clocked up 49 league appearances over two seasons. The Bulgarian, who has played 62 times for his country, has signed a three-year contract at Manchester City. If Atlético are to compete in the UEFA Cup they must overturn a 2-1 deficit in their UEFA Intertoto Cup tie against Romania's AFC Gloria 1922 Bistrita on Saturday.