Skip to content

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke wants to stay with club

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 03:  Koke of Atletico Madrid and Arturo Vidal of Bayern Munich battle for the ball during
Image: Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke (middle) insists he wants to stay with the club

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke insists he wants to remain with the club and is not looking for more money elsewhere.

The Spain international has been linked with a move to Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City in the British press in the past two years.

A product of Atletico's youth set-up, Koke has played over 250 times for the club and describes it as a special family.

"For a hundred and something years Atletico Madrid has been among the best," he said on Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "How can I leave? Why would I want to lose all of this?

"To be an Atleti player is the best there is. You always have to be Atleti, in the good times and in the bad.

Atletico Madrid's players celebrate scoring during the
Image: Atletico Madrid's players celebrate during their Champions League semi-final win over Bayern Munich

"Atleti is special. It is a family, everyone supports one another. I am not looking for more money, I am happy where I am, I am in my home.

"I am playing for the team that has looked after me since I was very little. A lot of times you don't move for money."

Also See:

Koke will be appearing in his second Champions League final in three years on Saturday, as Atletico face Madrid rivals Real in Milan.

Diego Simeone head coach of Atletico Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg match v Bayern Munich
Image: Diego Simeone's Atletico face Madrid rivals Real on Saturday in Milan

They lost the 2014 final in Lisbon 4-1 in extra time after Sergio Ramos' last-gasp equaliser for Real Madrid, and 24-year-old Koke says the Milan clash represents a fresh opportunity to make amends.

"We know that to play in the final of the Champions League throughout your career is something incredible, and we will play in two and truthfully it is very emotional," Koke added.

"They were champions two years ago and nobody is going to take that away from them. This is a new opportunity that all Atletico players want to take with all the enthusiasm in the world."