Kevin López joins San Martín: controversy, failed returns, derby ties | OneFootball

San Martín continues to make strong moves in the transfer market and has secured the arrival of a name that will get people talking: Kevin López. The 24-year-old midfielder, whose rights belong to Independiente, has already signed his contract and will join on loan for the 2026 Primera Nacional season, aiming to bring dynamism and depth to the “Santo” squad.

A market marked by unexpected twists

López’s arrival in Tucumán comes after one of the most eventful “soap operas” of the summer. The midfielder had everything agreed with Colón, where he even trained and joined the team’s routine. However, a call from Instituto de Córdoba put the signing on hold.

The deal with “La Gloria” ultimately fell through due to an institutional decision: the Córdoba management decided to step back to prioritize the good relationship between the clubs. The president of Instituto told José Alonso that he was not aware that the deal with the “Sabalero” was about to be formalized, and faced with the ethical conflict, he withdrew from the signing.

Between the closing of the transfer window and the search for a destination

After being ruled out by Instituto and with the First Division transfer window already closed, López found himself in a critical situation. With no chances in the top tier, the player tried to reopen talks to return to Colón and also held conversations with Quilmes, his former club. However, none of these options materialized, leaving his future up in the air until San Martín appeared.

An arrival spiced up by the derby

Kevin López’s arrival at the “Santo” is not without controversy. His signing is causing a stir in the province due to his immediate past: the midfielder wore the Atlético Tucumán shirt last season.

Switching sides in Tucumán football always presents an extra challenge in terms of fan acceptance. Now, López will have the task of winning over the crowd at La Ciudadela with his performances on the pitch, aiming to be a key player in a team looking to take center stage from the very first official match.

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