🇵🇪 Rafael Guzmán, the Peruvian gem flying to Heliópolis | OneFootball

Real Betis Balompié strengthens its youth academy with one of the brightest prospects in Peruvian football.

Rafael Guzmán, an 18-year-old center-back from Universitario de Deportes, has already passed his medical examinations and is preparing to join the Betis Juvenil A team. The defender has signed a contract that ties him to the Heliópolis club until June 30, 2028.

In his first statements, Guzmán expressed his excitement about making the leap to European football. "It’s a great challenge and I have to make the most of it," the player said. The young defender acknowledged that the level of competition in Spain will be extremely high, but he feels ready after intense psychological and physical preparation in his home country.

A key aspect of the deal was the player’s desire to compensate his original club. Universitario will retain 30% of a future sale, in addition to receiving performance-based bonuses. "I couldn’t leave without giving them something; it’s the club that saw me grow up," explained Guzmán, who still dreams of one day making his debut with the “U” first team.

The maturity of the center-back has surprised everyone. Veteran teammates like Aldo Corzo have endorsed his signing, highlighting his composure and balance on the field.

With the TMS already resolved and his visa in process, the center-back will land in the Andalusian capital in the coming hours. His arrival represents a bet on the future for Betis, which continues to scour the international market in search of young talent with potential for the first team.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.