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Defender Matt Doherty has joined Atletico Madrid for the remainder of the season after the Republic of Ireland international's contract with Tottenham Hotspur was terminated on Tuesday, the clubs announced. Tottenham said they had "mutually agreed to the termination of Matt Doherty's contract to enable him to join another club." - Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.) Doherty, 31, has seen limited playing time at Spurs this season and the imminent arrival of Sporting CP right-back Pedro Porro. Atletico are in the market for a right-back to serve as a backup to Nahuel Molina and have made that their priority ahead of bringing in an experienced centre-back, despite the expected exit of Felipe to Nottingham Forest. Following Mario Hermoso's improved performances for Atletico in recent games, Atletico decided against signing centre-back Caglar Soyuncu from Leicester City in this transfer window. Instead, the Atletico will wait until the end of the season when the Turkey international's contract at Leicester expires. Doherty is Atletico's preferred choice ahead of Roma's Rick Karsdorp, with sources telling ESPN the relationship between Atletico and Spurs allowed for a deal to be reached quickly ahead of the January transfer deadline. Atletico, meanwhile, are still hoping to find a club for midfielder Saul Niguez, who is a target of Valencia. Meanwhile Spurs defender Djed Spence has completed a loan move to Ligue 1 club Rennes, it was announced on Tuesday. The right-back only joined Spurs in July but has struggled for playing time under Antonio Conte. Earlier this month, ESPN reported that the 22-year-old was likely to leave the club on loan in this transfer window in search of first-team football.
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