Ghana midfielder Bernard Mensah has completed a move to Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid from Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes, but the talented youngster will be sent on loan to Getafe.

Mensah has agreed a six-year deal with Real Madrid’s bitter rivals, having been in talks during the last few days to settle on a deal.

Well known agent Jorge Mendes represents the 20-year-old Ghanaian talent, and he has been dealing with interest from a number of clubs throughout Europe, including from Altetico’s fellow Spanish rivals Valencia, who seemed close to signing the player in recent weeks.

Other clubs courting the Ghanaian player included the likes of Juventus, Atalanta and Sampdoria in Italy, AS Monaco in France and Portuguese rivals FC Porto.

An official statement released on the club’s website revealed: “Bernard Mensah is now an Atlético player after the agreement for his transfer reached with Vitoria Guimaraes. The Ghanaian player has signed with our club for six seasons. He will play the first one in Getafe, on loan.”

Mensah performed very well during the recently ended season in Portugal, having scored five goals and created five more from midfield in 30 top flight appearances, which helped his side to finish in 5th position.

The midfielder was a favourite for many to be included in the Ghana national team for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), in which the Black Stars lost in the final to Cote D’Ivoire, but Mensah did not make the final cut.

He has since debuted for the national team, scoring in his first appearance to secure a 1-0 victory for Ghana against Togo in June.