Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez aims parting-shot at Theo Hernandez after full-back joins arch-rivals Real Madrid

Sport360 staff 20:47 07/07/2017
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  • Superstar in Red and White: Saul Niguez.

    Saul Niguez says he and his Atletico team-mates are not bothered academy graduate star Theo Hernandez opted to leave the Red and Whites and instead join Real Madrid this summer.

    Hernandez, who turned down the chance to return to Diego Simeone’s side after a successful loan spell at Alaves, completed his move to the Bernabeu earlier this week – becoming one of the rare cases of players who have crossed the Spanish capital divide.

    While Atletico were disappointed that a player they had nurtured since the age of 10 decided to leave, aged just 19, Saul says the club have quickly moved on and don’t want anyone playing for Atleti if their heart is not in it.

    “It’s Theo’s decision and he’ll know what he’s doing,” the 22-year-old told Marca in an exclusive interview.

    “He’s a player who came out of our academy and he has to have respect for where he came from and if he does indeed respect us all that I don’t mind where he goes.

    “We’ll give all our affection to those who do want to be here and those who don’t want to be with us don’t matter to us.”

    Meanwhile, despite Atleti’s transfer ban being upheld until January 2018, Los Colchoneros have a lot to look forward to as they move into their new Wanda Metropolitano stadium next season with Diego Simeone still in charge.

    For Saul, he is keen to be part of the dawn of a new era as the club seek once again to challenge for silverware in both La Liga and the Champions League.

    “I am very happy to know that my lifelong club have backed me.

    “When [chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin] proposed a renewal to me I told him that I’d sign for however many years he wanted.

    “I am content and happy and the club is growing. We’re growing and sooner or later we’ll win [the Champions League].

    “I want to improve and to grow and I want to do so at Atletico Madrid.”

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