Adrián Niño has quickly risen to become the star of Atlético Madrid’s academy. The 2004-born Spanish attacker landed in Atleti’s youth system in 2020 and is currently playing for the U19 team.
With 7 goals in 6 games in the UEFA youth league and strong performances in domestic competitions, Niño has earned himself a high degree of attention, not only from the higher-ups at his own club. Real Madrid and other European teams have been rumoured to be keeping an eye on him.
With the looming danger of having their talent poached, Atlético have moved quickly to keep Niño in their ranks. As reported by Marca, the 18-year-old was offered a new contract until 2027, which he has signed.
Furthermore, Diego Simeone seems to have deemed him of a high enough quality to play alongside the first-team players. The latest training match saw Niño playing with the substitutes side in a strike partnership alongside Álvaro Morata.
While Ángel Correa will most likely be the choice in attack for Simeone against Athletic Club on Sunday, Memphis Depay’s knock after the Celta Vigo game and the team’s general lack of strikers could increase the hopes of Atleti’s academy product featuring in his first La Liga match.
Nicolás Antúnez de Mayolo | GSFN
