Matt Doherty set to join Atletico Madrid in loan deal

Republic of Ireland defender Matt Doherty is set to join Atletico Madrid on loan from Spurs until the end of the season.

It is reported by various UK outlets that there is no option or obligation for a permanent deal.

The move is one of the more intriguing of the transfer window, with the 31-year-old defender heading for the Spanish capital to a side currently placed fourth in La Liga, still under the management of Diego Simeone.

The Dubliner is following in Kieran Trippier's footsteps, moving from Spurs to Atletico, and comes as the Londoners are poised to sign Sporting Lisbon right-back Pedro Porro.

Doherty has flitted in and out of the Tottenham starting XI in 2022-23, having incurred a knee injury last April, but the Ireland full-back did score his first Premier League goal of the season in their 4-0 win over Crystal Palace at the beginning of January.

He joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2020, enjoying his best spell at the club in 2021-22 under Antonio Conte, shortly before his injury late last season.

Doherty will become the first Republic of Ireland international to play in La Liga since Steve Finnan's spell at Espanyol in 2008-09.

Previously, Kevin Moran (Sporting Gijon), Ian Harte (Levante) and Michael Robinson (Osasuna) have all played in Spain, while John Aldridge famously enjoyed an excellent two-year stint at Real Sociedad.