This week, Obed Vargas has joined Atlético Madrid from Seattle Sounders and will be part of the first team for the second half of this season.
Vargas revealed to be an Atlético Madrid fan for more than 10 years and has now completed his dream move to join the Spanish giants. Vargas will be wearing the number #21 jersey at Atlético Madrid.
¡Bienvenido, Obed Vargas! 🇲🇽👋🏼 pic.twitter.com/4RHbTrkJgU
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) February 2, 2026
The 20-year-old Mexican-American midfielder has trained with the team under Diego Simeone ahead of Atleti's Copa Del Rey quarter-final match against Real Betis tomorrow.
Atlético Madrid reportedly paid around $8 million after many reports suggesting that Obed Vargas was set to play in a top European team, with the team destination being kept a secret until the last day of the winter transfer window.
Vargas rejected moves to teams like Club América as his priority was to play in Europe ahead of the 2026 World Cup and it has been revealed that the player rejected a proposal from a Bundesliga giant.
Bayer Leverkusen were interested in Obed Vargas
Not only was Obed Vargas keen on playing in Europe in 2026 but he was fully committed to join Atlético Madrid due to his love for the club since he loved the club.
Fabrizio Romano was one of the sources that reported on Vargas' move to Atlético Madrid and revealed that Bayer Leverkusen was another European club that was heavily interested in signing the Mexican midfielder.
Romano revealed that clubs from Italy and Germany, including Bayer Leverkusen, were keen on signing Obed Vargas during this winter transfer window, but the player only wanted to join Atlético Madrid.
Vargas was rumored to be loaned out to another club, but Atlético Madrid decided to keep the player for the first team. Obed Vargas could make his Atlético Madrid debut tomorrow against Real Betis in the quarterfinals of the Copa Del Rey or on the weekend against Real Betis in La Liga.
Do you think Obed Vargas will get significant minutes at Atlético Madrid for the rest of the season? Let us know your thoughts on this move.