United FC lure Atlético centre‑back after few first‑team games
The roar of the crowd at Al‑Maktoum Stadium fades as United FC prepare to unveil a new signing – 23‑year‑old Serbian centre‑back Aleksa Puric, who departs Atlético de Madrid after a handful of senior outings. Having spent most of his time with the reserve side, the defender seeks regular first‑team football in the Gulf.
Puric began his career in the Partizan academy, signing his first professional contract in 2020. He later served two loan spells at Serbian side Teleoptik before moving abroad.
In July 2025 he joined Atlético de Madrid from Racing de Ferrol, a club that had acquired him a year earlier from Cypriot side Doxa Katokopias. At Ferrol he featured in 37 Segunda matches, starting 35 of them and amassing more than 3,000 minutes.
Atlético secured Puric on a contract running to 2029 for its reserve outfit, Atlético Madrileño, triggering a clause below the €1.5 million release set in Galicia. Under coach Fernando Torres he logged 31 reserve appearances and scored once, while the first team also added goalkeeper Astralaga that summer.
Despite the promise, he managed only Dos matches with the first team and never cemented a place in the defensive line. The lack of continuity meant he could not compete for a regular centre‑back role.
Transfer to United FC
The centre‑back is set to move to United FC of Dubai on a transfer that remains unannounced by either club, reopening Atlético’s September market while the major European leagues have already closed.
Founded in 2022 and based at Al‑Maktoum Stadium, United FC seek a 1.96‑metre defender who has already played in Serbia, Cyprus and Spain, a profile that fits Puric after his path was blocked at the Metropolitano.
Racing de Ferrol retained a percentage of any future sale, though neither the Galician side nor Atlético disclosed the exact figures, and the fee and contract length in Dubai have not been revealed.
His departure frees a squad slot for Atlético, ending a gamble on a player contracted until 2029 who failed to break through to regular first‑team action.