River Plate have signed Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada from Atletico Madrid for €20 million.
The fee is a club record for River. Under the agreement, the Argentine side acquired full ownership rights to the 25-year-old.
Almada chose to return to Argentina despite interest from other clubs, including Brazil’s Flamengo. Talks with head coach Eduardo Coudet and consultations with his family influenced the decision.
“Coudet called me, and that was very important. I was in constant contact with him, as well as Nicolas Otamendi and Angel Di Maria, who joined the team. They all played an important role in this transfer,” Thiago Almada said.
The midfielder will continue to represent Argentina. He plans to give his first match shirt at his new club to his mother, who supports River Plate.
The signing is expected to strengthen a side seeking greater consistency, with River viewing Almada as a key player in its new project.
