#INSERT type:image caption:Raul Garcia spent eight years at Atletico Madrid, but saw his paying time decrease last season. END#
Athletic Bilbao are poised to announce the signing of midfielder Raul Garcia from Atletico Madrid for an undisclosed fee, ending his eight-year stay at the Vicente Calderon.
Garcia passed a medical on Monday and will put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the Basque club, with his release clause set at €40 million. He will wear the No. 22 jersey and will be unveiled at 5 p.m. local time.
Raúl García firma hasta 2019 su cláusula de rescisión será de 40 millones de euros. #raulgarcia22ongietorri pic.twitter.com/8nkV57C39f
- Athletic Club (@AthleticClub) August 31, 2015
The player had been keen to move after seeing his playing time decrease last season, making only 23 starts in all competitions.
"We've seen him when he has played against us," Athletic coach Ernesto Valverde said. "Raul gives everything for his team, he works hard, he is a professional and an incredible competitor. Of course I like him."
Garcia has made 216 appearances for Atletico, scoring 26 goals, since joining from Osasuna in 2007.
His Atletico manager Diego Simeone told Marca: "A captain and a man leaves us. He deserves this opportunity."