Atletico snap up Argentina starlet Kranevitter

The slender 22-year-old will join up with the 2014 Spanish champions in December after River's attempt to win the Club World Cup in Japan.

"Atletico Madrid and River Plate have finalised a deal for the transfer of Matias Kranevitter to our club, although the Argentine midfielder will not join until after the Club World Cup," Atletico said in a statement.

Often compared to a young Javier Mascherano due to his ball-winning ability in midfield, he has now also been called up to the Argentina senior team for the first time for the friendlies against Bolivia and Mexico next month.

"Once we have played the tournament I will join Atletico and give everything from the first moment," Kranevitter told the club's website.

"I will try to adapt as quickly as possible to Spanish football. I am very happy with the deal."

He joins Jackson Martinez, Filipe Luis, Stefan Savic, Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco and compatriot Luciano Vietto as Atletico's summer recruits.

Diego Simeone's men got off to a winning start in their bid to wrestle La Liga from Barcelona with a 1-0 victory over Las Palmas last weekend, but face a daunting trip to Sevilla on Sunday.