Argentine defender Cristian Ansaldi has suggested that he hopes to makes his stay at Vicente Calderon a permanent one.
The 27-year-old joined los Colchoneros on a season-long loan from Zenit this summer and he is now vying fellow summer signing Guilherme Siqueira for a starting berth.
Ansaldi admits he was glad to leave Russia and hopes he will earn a long-term contract with the La Liga champions.
“I needed a change. I spoke to the Coach at Zenit and he told me he was going to give priority in my position to somebody else, although he was still counting on me but not as much,” Ansaldi told Marca.
“I understood and told him that as Atletico were interested I would rather go there and fight for a place knowing I was going to a great team.
“My idea is not to return to Russia and if it’s possible I want to stay here because I already feel at home. I’m enjoying the climate, the country, the language…they are small things but very important.”
Ansaldi started his professional career at Newell’s Old Boys, but left the club for Rubin Kazan after making just 29 league appearances.
The experienced defender spent next five years with the Tatarstan club, featuring in 128 league matches before moving to Zenit last summer.
In spite of the somewhat disappointing spell in St Petersburg, Ansaldi has managed to secure a high-profile move to Atletico Madrid and it is now up to him to impress his new employers and earn a permanent transfer.
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