Atletico Madrid have announced they have re-signed Villarreal midfielder Rodri for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old spent five years in Atletico’s academy before joining Villarreal in 2013.
Rodri narrowly missed out on a place in Spain’s squad for the 2018 World Cup, but has been identified as a natural heir for Sergio Busquets.
The transfer will officially go through when the transfer window opens on July 1, with Rodri penning a five-year deal with his boyhood club.
Gabi will turn 35 before the start of next season and Diego Simeone is keen to secure a long-term replacement for the veteran midfielder.
Rodri enjoyed a thoroughly impressive first full breakout year for Villarreal this season, featuring in all but one of their league matches.
In fact, the starlet finished as Villarreal’s highest WhoScored rated player in the league (7.20).
Not only that, but Rodri attempted more passes than any other player aged 23 and under in Europe’s top five leagues (2,473).
