Tobías Rubio on his move to Unión: “Lautaro’s injury sped it up” | OneFootball

Unión added Tobías Rubio as one of its latest signings for the season. The right back, who arrived from Racing, completed his first training sessions in Santa Fe and said he is fully in the process of adapting, motivated by the chance to make his debut in the red-and-white jersey.

In an interview with Unión Play —the official program of Club Atlético Unión, which airs on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on AIRE—, the defender explained how his move to Leonardo Madelón’s team came about. “My agent told me about it in the final weeks of the transfer window. When the Lautaro situation happened and the injury came up, everything moved pretty fast. I also spoke really well with Madelón, and both clubs were involved. I’m very happy already,” he explained.

First impressions at the Tatengue

At 22, Rubio praised the warm welcome he received at Casa Unión and highlighted the quality of the Santa Fe squad. “I loved the club and the people. Honestly, it’s a very human, very good group, with very good players. The coaching staff welcomed me really well too, and that was important for me,” he said.

The player said his adaptation is progressing steadily and that he is focused on the team’s next match. “I’m settling in quickly, already hoping to be available on Saturday, God willing and if the coach decides so. I’m ready for whenever my chance comes,” he said.

His talks with Leonardo Madelón and his role on the pitch

Regarding his initial conversations with the head coach, Rubio said they had already gone over key tactical concepts. “Yes, I spoke with Leo. He showed me a bit of what his idea is, what the team’s idea is. I hope I can deliver on that,” he said.

Although he was developed in different defensive positions, he clarified what his main role is in the top flight: “In the First Division I’ve always played at right back. I’ve played several matches in a back three, as a center back, but right now I’m playing as a full-back.” He also added about his attacking projection: “A bit of both, also depending on what the coach asks for. I adapt, it mostly depends on the team,” he said.

His career path: from Avellaneda to Florencio Varela

Rubio came through the youth ranks at Racing from the age of 11, moving through the Reserve Team before establishing himself in the first team. In his professional career, he had an 18-month loan spell at Defensa y Justicia, where he made 18 official appearances under Pablo De Muner, during Cohan’s interim spell, and under Mariano Soso. “With Pablo de Muner I had quite a lot of continuity. I felt really good, I had a good relationship with him, I felt comfortable with the team, and for me that time at Defensa was important,” he recalled.

After that spell, he returned to the Academy and was part of the squad that won the CopaSudamericana, an achievement with strong emotional meaning for him. “Racing is the place where I grew up, where I came through. Obviously it’s very special, it gives it an extra meaning. I’m very happy,” he said.

Chosen squad number and goals in Santa Fe

For this new chapter at Unión, the full-back will wear number 27 on his back, a choice directly linked to his birth date. “I chose 27, my birthday,” explained the player, who turned 22 on July 27.

Toward the end of the interview, Rubio summed up his professional and personal ambitions with the Santa Fe club, highlighting the size of the institution. “I hope I can play, achieve the objectives we have with the squad, and accomplish important things at the club. I know it’s a very important club in the city, in Argentine football, that it’s a very big club,” he said. He concluded by praising the support of the fans: “The fan base really surprised me. So I have high expectations.”

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