Official: Mauricio Martínez joins Sarmiento, Unión miss out on their chance | OneFootball

Club Atlético Sarmiento has officially announced the signing of Mauricio “Caramelo” Martínez for the 2026 season. The experienced central midfielder, 32 years old, joins the “Verde” on a free transfer after parting ways with Rosario Central and has signed a one-year contract with the club.

The news puts an end to all speculation about his possible return to Unión de Santa Fe, the club where he was developed. Despite mutual interest and attempts by the Tatengue management to bring back a player beloved by the fans, negotiations did not come to fruition.

The reasons for saying “no” to Santa Fe

Unión actively sought Martínez’s return, especially given the need to strengthen the midfield. However, negotiations became complicated. The player, who was still under contract with Central, first needed to agree on his release, which involved procedures and timelines that Unión’s management could not handle in their favor, mainly due to financial issues that prevented them from making a purchase or taking on a high cost for his return.

Ultimately, after gaining his freedom, Martínez evaluated his options and Sarmiento’s project aligned better with his interests, closing the door on a third stint with the “Tatengue.”

He will bring experience to Junín

With this signing, the Junín side adds a player of quality and experience, with previous spells at Racing Club and Liga de Quito, where he won the Copa Sudamericana in 2023. His versatility to play both in midfield and as a central defender gives Facundo Sava an important piece for building the team ahead of the Copa de la Liga Profesional.

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