Renzo Saravia to sign short-term Valencia deal as Córdoba’s bond with Mestalla endures | OneFootball

Renzo Saravia will sign a short-term deal until 30 June this weekend, becoming the 41st Argentinian to play for Valencia. According to Superdeporte, the 32-year-old strengthens the club’s enduring Córdoba connection.

Out of contract since 1 January after leaving Atlético Mineiro, he is set to compete at right-back and earn a longer stay by persuading Carlos Corberán.

The lineage began with Guillermo Villagrá in the 1930s, then Horacio Arquímedes Herrero, who played 24 times in 1948-49, a Copa-winning, league runners-up season. Since 1963 and Sánchez Lage, most arrivals have come from Buenos Aires, Córdoba and Santa Fe.

By impact, Córdoba stands apart. Pablo Aimar, Claudio 'Piojo' López, Mario Kempes and Mauricio Pellegrino all hail from there, and Saravia, born in Villa de María de Río Seco, will be the ninth Córdoba-born valencianista.

Luciano Vietto was the outlier, a brief loan in 2018 that failed to ignite. Pablo Piatti spent six seasons, peaking under Nuno as Valencia matched 77 points and returned to the Champions League.

Roberto Fabián Ayala leads the Argentine appearance list, winning two leagues, a UEFA Cup and a European Super Cup. Half of that top 10 were born in Córdoba.

Enzo Barrenechea shone last term under Corberán before Aston Villa sold 75% of his rights to Benfica for 15 million euros. This 25/26 Valencia will field three Argentinians, with Lucas Beltrán on loan from Fiorentina, Guido Rodríguez to season’s end and, from Monday, Saravia on the same terms.

Source: Superdeporte