Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 7y

Atletico Madrid to visit sister club in Mexico in July - San Luis chief

Atletico Madrid are set to make a visit to Mexican "sister club" San Luis this summer, with stars including coach Diego Simeone and reported Manchester United target Antoine Griezmann having reportedly promised to attend.

Earlier this year, Atletico confirmed they had bought a share (reported to be 50 percent) in the second-tier Mexican outfit, as part of a global expansion of franchise clubs, which is supported by their Chinese investors, Wanda.

It had been earlier reported in Spain that Atletico would be the guest opponent for Mexican club Toluca's 100-year anniversary game this summer, and San Luis chief Jacobo Payan told ESPN that the trip would also a visit to his club for an event where the San Luis' new jersey for next season will be presented.

"Atletico will first play in Toluca, then in Los Angeles, and later they will come with us in the middle of July," Payan said. "[Fernando] 'El Nino' Torres, [Diego] Godin, Simeone and that forward who is worth €100 million [Griezmann] will be there."

Payan said that he was very happy for San Luis to have joined Atletico's family of clubs, given their other investments in India's Atletico de Kolkata and French outfit RC Lens.

"It is a big success for us to have become associated with Atletico, one of the best clubs in the world," he said. "They have a team in India, in France and now in Mexico. That brings a lot of prestige to the Mexico Football Federation, more order and seriousness."

Atletico have yet to officially confirm their preparation schedule ahead of 2017-18 La Liga season, although Simeone spoke last week about their plans for the Audi Cup preseason tournament on Aug. 1 and 2 in Germany alongside Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

Payan also said that the Spanish Primera Division club will make their contract with San Luis formal on Wednesday and that the terms of the deal are for 20 years with an option for 10 more. He said Atletico Madrid club officials have promised to invest €5 million in the Mexican club to revive the franchise for the Liga Ascenso this summer.

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