Merida keen to make mark in Madrid

Atletico Madrid midfielder Fran Merida has vowed to prove his worth at the La Liga club.

The Vicente Calderon outfit decided to recall the 21-year-old from his loan spell at Sporting Braga on Tuesday after he failed to make his mark at the Portuguese club in the first half of the season.

“I am happy because after being half-a-year out I was given an opportunity here,” Marida said.

“I am very eager to work and to fit in the group, and learn the mentality which coach Diego Simeone has implemented.”

“I hope to be 100 percent fit in two weeks’ time because I have not competed in a month. I hope to have continuity, get playing time and work to be one more option for the coach.”

Merida, a Spain under-21 international, joined Atletico from Arsenal in 2010 after five years at the north London club.