Atletico Madrid sign free agent Witsel

Atletico Madrid have announced the signing of Axel Witsel on a free transfer after leaving Borussia Dortmund.

Witsel's contract with BVB expired at the end of June after a four-year spell at Dortmund, and he signed up for a single season at Atletico.

Atletico reportedly love Boubacar Kamara, but shifted their focus to Witsel after the 22-year-old joined Aston Villa.

Hector Herrera's departure to Houston Dynamo meant midfield reinforcements were a necessity for Diego Simeone.

And in Witsel, 33, he added experience and ability, with the Belgium international playing an important role at Dortmund until his exit.

Witsel made 29 Bundesliga appearances last season as Dortmund finished second behind Bayern Munich, although he was long expected to leave this year.

Simeone hopes Witsel will add some much-needed courage to a midfield that was often unconvincing last season as Atletico's title defense never really started.

Spain will be the sixth country Witsel has played in during his distinguished career, having played in his native Belgium, Portugal, Russia, China and Germany.