MADRID, July 25 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid on Wednesday confirmed the signing of Portuguese international winger Gelson Martins.
The 23-year-old arrives as a free agent at the Spanish club after rescinding his contract with Sporting Club de Portugal for whom he made 140 league appearances after progressing through the club's youth system.
He became a free agent as a result of bad relations with former Sporting president Bruno Carvalho, which was followed by a training ground incident involving around 50 fans in May.
Martins has also made 19 appearances for Portugal. He will battle for a place with players such as Diego Costa, Antoine Griezmann and another summer signing, Thomas Lemar.
"Our club is incorporating a speedy right winger who has also been deployed as a second striker and even right-back," confirmed Atletico in a statement on their official website.
"His speed and fine dribbling skills make him a valued addition to our team and a threat to the opposition's defenders."
The arrival of Lemar and Martins gives extra width to the Atletico attack, something that was missing last season, especially after Yannick Carrasco moved to China in January. Enditem