The talented right-back, a product of the club's youth system, has enjoyed an impressive pre-season campaign with Atletico, and has moved to the brink of a place in the starting XI following the knee injury sustained by Juan Valera last season.

Valera is likely to continue his rehabilitation from his injury into the first few weeks of the Primera Liga campaign, leaving Vara to battle it out with Greece international Georgios Seitaridis for a place in Javier Aguirre's defence.

"I'm facing this pre-season with lots of excitement," said Vara.

"Any footballer works hard from the first moment to try and go as far as possible. My chance has come this pre-season and I'm going to try and take advantage of it.

"[It is] very clear that I'm here due to circumstances, in this case because of the injury to Juan Valera. Right now I'm with Seitaridis to cover the right-back position and I'm going to fight for that spot.

"It's clear that I'm a player from the second team and I still have a lot to learn, but that's what I'm here for."