Atletico Madrid returned to preseason training on Wednesday afternoon with new signings Rodri Hernandez and Antonio Adan working with their teammates and coach Diego Simeone for the first time.
Atletico's 10 senior players not at this summer's World Cup including Jan Oblak, Juanfran Torres, Stefan Savic, Thomas, Vitolo and reportedly Valencia-bound Kevin Gameiro were all put through their paces by Simeone and fitness coach Oscar "El Profe" Ortega, along with 17 youth teamers.
Ex-Villarreal holding midfielder Rodri, 22, who returned to his boyhood club after Atletico triggered his €20 million release clause, was training along with goalkeeper Adan -- the former Real Madrid back-up joining this week from Real Betis in a cut-price deal.
Not present was previous reserve goalkeeper Axel Werner, as the 22-year-old Argentine has been loaned to newly promoted Huesca for the 2018-19 campaign. Also missing from last season's squad were veterans Fernando Torres and Gabi, who have joined Japanese club Sagan Tosu and Qatari outfit Al-Sadd respectively.
⚽🔴⚪🔴 Introductions, reencounters, hugs and most importantly, WORK!
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) July 11, 2018
🔝 Don't worry guys, we're back!
📝➡ https://t.co/4pcIaDHKjg
📸➡ https://t.co/HDyc7m3s5W#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/luBCJjENiW
Atletico's Spanish World Cup players Diego Costa, Koke and Saul Niguez are expected back in time for their club's International Champions Cup games against Arsenal (Singapore, Aug. 26), Paris Saint Germain (Singapore, Aug. 30) and Inter Milan (Wanda Metropolitano, Aug. 11), as well as a fourth friendly at VFB Stuttgart on Aug. 5.
However France's World Cup 2018 finalists Antoine Griezmann, Lucas Hernandez and Thomas Lemar, plus Croatia's Sime Vrsaljko, are unlikely to be available in time for the UEFA Supercup against Real Madrid in Tallinn on Aug. 15.
Meanwhile, Atletico have agreed to let Rayo Majadahonda use its Wanda Metropolitano ground for the beginning of the suburban Madrid side's first ever Segunda Division campaign starting this August.
Majadahonda usually use the Cerro del Espino stadium at Atletico's training ground for their home games, with that facility currently being upgraded to meet the requirements for hosting games in Spain's second tier.