Giménez completes 'dream' move to Atlético

New Club Atlético de Madrid defender Jose María Giménez said he was looking forward to learning from Uruguayan compatriot Diego Godín after the 18-year-old was presented as the Spanish Liga side's latest signing.

The 2010 and 2012 UEFA Europa League winners agreed a deal with Danubio FC for the services of Giménez – a FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up with Uruguay earlier this month – for an undisclosed fee last April. He has now penned a five-year contract to join fellow recent signings David Villa, Martin Demichelis and Léo Baptistão at the Estadio Vicente Calderón.

"This is a dream, I'm so happy," the central defender said during his presentation. "I love to fight for every ball as if it is the last minute of a game and I am the type of player who never abandons my team-mates."

Expected to provide cover for Atlético's regular defensive pairing of Miranda and Godín during what will be a busy campaign for Diego Simeone's side, Giménez said he was looking forward to the challenge. "I have come here to grow," he said. "Diego Godín is one of the reference points of the Uruguayan national team and I'm looking forward to learning a lot from him."

Atlético will enter the 2013/14 UEFA Champions League group stage after finishing third in last season's Spanish top flight.