Leal cleared for Atletico move

Atletico Madrid's purchase of Benfica teenager Hugo Leal has been cleared by the Portuguese football federation.

Atletico have had a disastrous start to the new season under coach Claudio Ranieri and are in last place in the Spanish top division. Their transfer of 19 year old Leal was halted last August when the player rescinded his contract with the Lisbon club with one year left to serve. Atletico had offered the international a seven year deal to sign with them.

Benfica's protest claim against the deal was heard last night and thrown out by the Portuguese federation arbitration panel and he is expected to arrive in Madrid before the weekend to start training.