Bombshell: River sign Chelsea’s 18-year-old Kendry Páez | OneFootball

The transfer market added an unexpected chapter this Wednesday with the arrival of Kendry Páez at River. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, whose rights belong to Chelsea, comes to work under Marcelo Gallardo in what promises to be one of the most interesting signings in local football.

How did his arrival come about? Through a loan deal until December 2026, with no purchase option. He returns from Racing de Strasbourg, where he was on loan, and since Chelsea will not be using him, they decided to give him the green light to leave so he can gain experience in South America.

Despite playing 21 matches and scoring one goal in France, the Premier League club decided to terminate the loan, which was set to expire in August 2026. It’s worth remembering that Chelsea made a $25 million investment in 2023 to secure the Independiente del Valle gem when he was just 16 years old. However, after arriving on the Old Continent this past April, the youngster has yet to make an official appearance for the Blues.

On the other hand, Páez’s career with the Ecuadorian national team confirms his talent: he shone in the youth categories (7 goals between the U-17 and U-20 teams) and quickly established himself in the senior squad. Since his debut in 2023, he has recorded two goals and three assists in 23 appearances, becoming a regular part of Sebastián Beccacece’s setup.

Something to keep in mind: Chelsea has the option to recall him in the middle of this year, although TyC Sports has also learned that River has showcase rights and will later try to extend the loan until June 2027. Barring any unforeseen issues, Kendry will arrive in Argentina on Thursday to sign with the Núñez club.

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