Who are Joaquin Freitas and Anthony Valencia, Flamengo’s new forwards? | OneFootball

Flamengo have signed young forwards Anthony Valencia and Joaquín Freitas after Gonzalo Plata’s sale to Dynamo Moscow, adding depth for Leonardo Jardim.

According to Globo.com, both have landed in Rio de Janeiro and are close to being unveiled, Valencia on Sunday from Royal Antwerp and Freitas on Monday after leaving River Plate. Wallace Yan also departed to Bragantino.

Freitas, 19, joined River in 2024 from second-tier Acassuso for the under-20s, then rose swiftly. He hit 11 goals and three assists in 34 youth games and debuted under Marcelo Gallardo at 18.

He later signed a deal to 31 December 2028 with a US$ 100 million clause. For the senior side he made 29 appearances and scored one goal. He has been capped by Argentina, coming on late in a June friendly win over Honduras before the World Cup.

His best senior displays were as a second striker, though he shone centrally in youth. The initial expectation is he will start as a centre-forward at Flamengo, competing with Pedro.

Valencia, 23, came through Deportivo Azogues and Independiente del Valle before moving to Royal Antwerp on reaching adulthood. He joined Antwerp’s seniors in 2022 and later ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in 2025, an injury he has recovered from.

A left-footed right winger noted for pace and dribbling, he was in Ecuador’s 2026 World Cup squad without playing. For his country he has also been used as a second or third midfielder.

Source: Globo.com

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