Atletico Madrid have completed the signing of defender Gabriel Paulista on a free transfer, the club confirmed on Friday. The 33-year-old Brazilian centre-back joins after his contract with Valencia expired, signing a deal until the summer of 2026. The move sees the experienced defender remain in La Liga, swapping the Mestalla for the Metropolitano with immediate effect.
Paulista brings a wealth of experience to Diego Simeone's squad, having made over 200 appearances for Valencia across seven seasons. His departure from Los Che concludes a significant chapter, during which he served as a reliable and combative presence in their defence. His arrival at Atletico comes at a pivotal moment, with the club having just secured a 2-0 victory over his former side, a match in which young talents Iker Luque and Cubo scored their first senior goals for the club.
The transfer aligns with Atletico's recent strategy of adding seasoned professionals to complement their emerging youth. According to reports from Spain, Simeone values Paulista's defensive solidity, leadership, and familiarity with the league as crucial assets for the remainder of the season and beyond. With Atletico closing in on Champions League qualification—sitting 13 points ahead of Real Betis—the squad depth will be vital for balancing domestic and European commitments.
For Paulista, the move represents an opportunity to compete for major honours at a club consistently in the top four and a chance to extend his career at the highest level. For Valencia, his departure continues a trend of experienced players leaving the Mestalla, placing greater responsibility on their younger squad members. The transfer was finalized without a fee, representing a cost-effective reinforcement for Atletico as they prepare for the final stages of the campaign and plan for the future.
