Costa Rica’s Keylor Navas to Join Liga MX’s Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys

Posted on July 21, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Keylor Navas is switching sides…

The 38-year-old Costa Rican professional soccer play, a goalkeeper for Costa Rica’s international team, has reached a deal to join Liga MX club Pumas from Newell’s Old Boys, the Argentine club announced on Monday.

Newell’s said in a statement that Pumas was paying a fee of $2 million to bring Navas to Liga MX.

The three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid signed a one-year deal and could debut as early as this Friday’s league match against Querétaro.

He is also expected to join the club in Leagues Cup play next week when coach Efraín Juárez‘s side will face Atlanta United, Orlando City and Inter Miami CF in the group stage.

Navas spent just six months with Newell’s. He is one of the most successful players in Concacaf history, turning in a strong performance for Costa Rica in this summer’s Gold Cup.

“Keylor Navas is no longer part of the squad and will continue his career with Pumas of México,” Newell’s said in a statement. “This decision was made based on the conviction of prioritizing our team. The commitment, professionalism, and respect for our club’s values remain as non-negotiable pillars. We firmly believe that to achieve our goals it is essential that each member of our club pushes in the same direction, always prioritizing the team over the individual.

“Our path is clear: unity, effort, and belonging. Under these values, we will continue working every day to honor our colors and the feelings of our fans.”

In addition to his Champions League titles, Navas also won LaLiga, the Club World Cup and Super Cup titles during his time with Real Madrid. He went on to win three Ligue 1 titles at Paris Saint-Germain.

Navas joined Newell’s as a free agent in January and made 16 appearances.

Pumas were looking for a replacement for goalkeeper Álex Padilla, who left earlier this month to rejoin parent club Athletic Club.

Navas was reportedly keen to move to Pumas to play in the Liga MX and be closer to his native Costa Rica.

Real Madrid Signs Álvaro Carreras

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Álvaro Carreras is switching sides…

Real Madrid has signed the 22-year-old Spanish professional footballer, a Benfica left-back, the Spanish club announced on Monday.

Carreras spent three years at Real Madrid’s academy before moving to Manchester United in 2020.

The defender is Real Madrid’s latest defensive recruit — the club already confirmed the arrival of centre-back Dean Huijsen and right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold — as they look to build a new-look back line ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup in which they lost in the semifinal to Paris Saint-Germain.

Madrid ended the season without a major trophy for the first time since 2021, after finishing as runners-up to Barcelona in LaLiga, losing the Copa del Rey final and being eliminated in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Carreras was Real Madrid’s preferred candidate to strengthen at left-back, where neither Ferland Mendy, who has frequently suffered from injuries, nor Fran García have convinced last season.

He was a teammate of another Real Madrid youngster, Raúl Asencio, in his time at the club’s academy, before opting to join Manchester United.

After four years in Manchester, including loans at Preston North End and Granada, he joined Benfica on an initial loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

The Spain under-21 international had an outstanding 2024-25 season, making 32 appearances in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, as well as playing 10 times in the Champions League.

Neymar Extends Contract with Santos Through the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Neymar is staying home…

The 33-year-old Brazilian forward has signed a contract extension with Santos through the end of 2025, the club has announced.

The deal includes an option to extend his contract through the 2026 FIFA World Cup next summer, per ESPN Brasil sources.

His previous contract at Santos was due to expire on June 30.

Neymar rejoined his boyhood club in January after terminating his contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal by mutual consent.

“I made a decision and I listened to my heart,” Neymar said in Santos’ statement. “Santos is not just my team, it’s my home, my roots, my history, and my life.

“Here, I was a boy who became a man, and I am truly loved. Here I can be myself, truly happy. And this is where I want to fulfill the dreams that are still missing in my career. And nothing will stop me.

“I go, I come back and I stay. Where it all began, where it’s never going to end.”

The new deal includes an additional contract between Santos and NR Sports for the use of Neymar’s image, sources told ESPN Brasil.

In the agreement, Santos agreed to pay a minimum of $15 million for all the new contracts from sponsors and earnings in investments generated by Neymar’s presence with the club, sources added.

Earlier this month, Neymar turned down an offer to play on loan at Brazilian club Fluminense in the Club World Cup, with the former Barcelona star focused on regaining his full fitness.

Neymar spent much of his time in Saudi Arabia on the sidelines due to an ACL injury he sustained while on international duty with Brazil in October 2023.

Recurring muscular injuries have limited Neymar to three goals and three assists in 15 games for Santos this year and prevented him from making his long-awaited return to the national team.

But the signing has paid off in other ways for Santos. The club’s president Marcelo Teixeira said that Neymar’s return to Vila Belmiro has led to record-breaking social media growth and significant commercial gains for the club.

“It is a historic and remarkable day for Brazilian football, a gift for the Santos FC fans,” Teixeira said as part of Tuesday’s announcement. “Our idol, our boy, the prince with our number 10 shirt, remains.

“It is a very important moment in this rebuilding process, and we needed Neymar, both on and off the field. The phrase ‘I go, I come back and I stay’ is emblematic and fundamental to the repositioning of Santos FC at its rightful level.”

Despite not being at the top of his game, Neymar’s father and agent, Neymar Sr., recently said that his son has an “interested market” that included European clubs that will compete in the Champions League next season.

“We have started a very good partnership and hope to continue for a long time,” Neymar’s father said in Santos’ statement.

Neymar, who is Brazil’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals, is hopeful of playing in a fourth World Cup.

Brazil’s Serie A was paused on June 12 but will resume after the FIFA Club World Cup.

Santos, who returned to the top flight this year, are 15th in the standings with three wins in 12 games.

Inter Miami CF Signs Tadeo Allende from Celta Vigo on One-Year Loan

Posted on January 14, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Tadeo Allende is switching sides…

Inter Miami CF has signed the 25-year-old Argentine professional footballer from Celta Vigo on Tuesday on a one-year loan through the end of the 2025 Major League Soccer season.

The Celta Vigo winger is set to join the team pending the receipt of his P-1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

“We’re pleased to bring in attacker Tadeo Allende to further strengthen our attack. Tadeo’s versatility bolsters our options up front as he can perform in different positions across the pitch. We’re excited to bring him on board to help us compete in multiple competitions in 2025,” said president of football operations Raúl Sanllehí.

Allende joins after recording three goals in 13 appearances for Celta across all competitions since joining the team in January of 2024.

He also previously saw stints with Instituto Atletico Central Cordoba (2021) and Club Deportivo Godoy Cruz (2022 on loan and 2022 to 2023) before joining La Liga, racking up a total of 18 goals and seven assists in 117 professional appearances.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to join Inter Miami for an exciting new chapter in my career. I’m happy to be here in South Florida and I’m ready to give it my all to help the club achieve its objectives this upcoming season,” said Allende.

Allende stands as the latest signing for new manager Javier Mascherano, as he looks to build a deeper roster ahead of the 2025 campaign. Inter Miami will be participating in the Concacaf Champions Cup, Leagues Cup and Club World Cup in addition to the 2025 MLS season.

Mascherano said he was actively looking for players with a competitive mindset that can take on the responsibilities associated with Inter Miami.

“I would tell you [we’re looking for] the type of players, a competitive player, a player who has the ambition to come here to win things, who really wants to come because, well, we know that beyond the fact that we have players who can attract many other players,” Mascherano said to ESPN on Tuesday. “Then the responsibility has to be carried on your shoulders and that is not for everyone.

“So above all, players with a mentality, with personality and obviously with hierarchy. In the end the hierarchy in football is what determines the difference and well we will try to go for those types of players.”

Inter Miami will kick off the 2025 preseason with a friendly against Club America on Jan. 18 in Las Vegas, before embarking on a tour across South and Central America.

The team is set to be adding more players to the roster before officially kicking off the season with a Concacaf Champions Cup match against Sporting Kansas City on February 18.

James Rodríguez Signs with Liga MX’s Leon Club

Posted on January 13, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

James Rodríguez is heading to Liga MX.

The 33-year-old Colombian professional footballer and Colombia has signed with Liga MX‘s León, the Mexican club has announced.

Recently a free agent after terminating his contract with Rayo Vallecano — who initially signed James in August — he will now join a León side that kicks off their 2025 Clausura run on January 18.

“Rayo Vallecano de Madrid and Club Leon of Mexico have reached an agreement for the transfer of James Rodriguez,” the Spanish club said in a statement.

They did not give any details of the deal.

“From the club, we wish James the best of luck in his new stage,” the club added.

Eight-times Mexican champions León posted several images of Rodriguez on their social media accounts, but also did not give any details of the deal.

In June, León will then take part in the Club World Cup, beginning with group stage matches against Chelsea, Esperance de Tunis and Flamengo.

Rodriguez’s move to Mexico marks his sixth team since 2021 after playing for Rayo Vallecano, São Paulo, Olympiacos, Al-Rayyan, and Everton in recent years.

Earlier in his career, the Golden Boot winner at the 2014 World Cup was noted for high-profile runs through the likes of European giants such as Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The midfielder has also played for Envigado, Banfield, Porto, and Monaco.

With Colombia, Rodriguez has amassed 29 goals across 112 caps, including a successful run at last summer’s Copa América where his team lost to Argentina in the final.

Manchester City Completes Five-Year Deal with Sávio

Posted on July 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Sávio is headed to England.

Manchester City has completed a deal for the 20-year-old Brazil winger, whose full name is Sávio Moreira de Oliveira, on a five-year-deal, the club has confirmed.

Sources told ESPN that Manchester City has paid an initial transfer fee of €25 million ($27.3m), plus a potential €15m ($16.4m) in add-ons.

Sávio joins the team from French side Troyes after loan spells at PSV Eindhoven and Girona.

Both Troyes and Girona are part of the City Football Group (CFG), which is headed by Manchester City.

“I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners,” Sávio said.

“Everyone knows they are the best team in the world right now, so to be here is very exciting for me.

“I’m excited about the chance to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches ever, and someone I know will help me improve even more.

“I had an amazing time in Spain and I’m looking forward to a new challenge of playing in the Premier League and alongside some of the best players in the world.

“I can’t wait to meet the fans and my new team-mates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to City.”

Sávio scored 11 goals in 41 games for Girona last season as they earned qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

He played for Brazil in this year’s Copa América and scored one goal while playing in each of their four games until they were knocked out by Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

Andrés Guardado Signs with Liga MX’s León

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Andrés Guardado is making his triumphant return to Mexico.

The 37-year-old Mexican professional footballer, a midfielder who retired from the national team in 2023 after a record-breaking 179 appearances for Mexico, has been signed by Liga MX’s León side.

The former Mexico captain and five-time World Cup participant is returning to Liga MX after last playing for boyhood club Atlas in 2007.

After leaving Atlas, Guardado had a lengthy 17-year run in European club soccer that took him through Deportivo La Coruña, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, PSV Eindhoven, and most recently, Real Betis.

Guardado stands as the Mexican with the most seasons in European soccer and as the all-time non-domestic leader in appearances (218) with Real Betis.

“The Green and White Captain has been key in the sporting growth in recent years. With him, the team has qualified for European competitions four times and also won the Copa del Rey in 2022,” Real Betis said in a statement.

“The Club would like to effusively thank Guardado for his services and wish him all the best in the future.”

Under the guidance of new manager Jorge Bava, León kicked off the 2024 Clausura season on Wednesday with a 2-1 loss at home to Tigres.

Earlier in December, the 2023 Concacaf Champions League winners were knocked out in their debut match at the Club World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Urawa Red Diamonds.

Manchester City ThisClose to Signing Argentina’s Claudio Echeverri

Posted on December 26, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Claudio Echeverri is the Man (City) of the hour…

Manchester City are closing in on the signing of the 17-year-old Argentine professional footballer, a midfielder, from River Plate, according to ESPN.

Man City have held formal talks with Echeverri and are nearing an agreement for the midfielder.

If a deal is reached, it’s likely that Echeverri would be loaned back to River Plate until at least the end of the Premier League season. It would be a similar arrangement to the one which eventually brought Julián Álvarez to Man City.

Álvarez was signed from River Plate in January 2022 but remained in South America until the following summer. He made his Premier League debut in August 2022 and has gone on to win the Premier League title, FA Cup, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.

He was also part of the Argentina team which won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Echeverri, who sources have told ESPN was also receiving interest from Barcelona, is highly-rated and starred for Argentina at the under-17 World Cup earlier this month.

He has indicated to River Plate that he is unlikely to sign a new contract with his existing deal set to expire in December 2024.

City are not expected to make first-team signings during the January window but there could be departures from Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Kalvin Phillips is keen to move to find regular first-team football and is wanted by both Juventus and Newcastle. There has also been interest in defender Sergio Gómez and goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

The return of Kevin De Bruyne is set to give City a boost in January. The midfielder hasn’t played since the opening weekend of the season because of a hamstring injury but returned to training during the trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup.

Marcelo Gallardo Accepts 18-Month Deal to Coach Saudi Pro League’s Al Ittihad

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Marcelo Gallardo is headed to the Middle East…

The 47-year-old Argentine football coach and former professional player, the most successful manager in River Plate history, has accepted an 18-month contract to coach Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N’Golo Kanté at Al Ittihad, according to ESPN.

The Saudi Pro League defending champions reached a deal with the former River Plate manager after they fired Portuguese coach Nuno Espírito Santo last week — just six months after he led them to a title win.

Al Ittihad currently sit fifth in the Saudi league table with a 7-3-3 record, 11 points behind league-leading Al Hilal.

Gallardo last coached one year ago when he led River Plate to a 4-0 win over Real Betis in a friendly held in Mendoza. His overall career record for 425 matches is 228-111-86.

He won 14 trophies in his eight years at the helm since 2014, including three Copa Libertadores triumphs, before leaving in October of 2022 to take a break from coaching.

As a player, he also won six league titles and one Copa Libertadores title with River Plate.

Al Ittihad will face Auckland City on December 12 in the Club World Cup.

Inter Miami Completes Signing of Sergio Busquets

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

It’s official… Sergio Busquets will be playing Major League Soccer.

Inter Miami has completed the signing of the 35-year-old Spanish professional footballer and former Barcelona midfielder on a deal until 2025, the MLS side has revealed.

The 2010 World Cup winner will join the squad in the coming days and will occupy a designated player slot, the club added.

“I am excited to welcome Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “Since day one we have set out to bring the world’s best players. Sergio’s repertoire speaks for itself.”

The former Barcelona captain, who retired from international duty last year, played more than 700 games for the Spanish champions, winning nine LaLiga crowns, seven Copa del Rey titles, three Champions League trophies and three Club World Cups.

Busquets was also linked with a move to Saudi Arabia as Al Hilal and Al Nassr made bids for his services, according to media reports.

Miami expect Busquets to be available to play next Saturday when they host Mexican side Cruz Azul for their Leagues Cup opener, when Messi is set to make his debut.

The MLS designated player rule allows clubs to acquire up to three players whose total compensation and acquisition costs exceed the salary cap.

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