Overview
- Alianza Lima bought Jairo Vélez’s rights from Universidad César Vallejo and signed him through December 2028, with the midfielder arriving in Lima and stating his sole focus is the club and the goal is the title.
- Vélez comes off a 2025 campaign on loan at Universitario with 37 appearances across Liga 1 and the Copa Libertadores, finishing as a starter on the tricampeón side.
- Alessandro Burlamaqui returned from Spain to join preseason, remains under contract until December 2028, and declared that the squad’s mentality is to win the championship.
- Pablo Guede now leads Alianza’s preparations, while Universitario is guided by Javier Rabanal, whom Burlamaqui said he looks forward to facing.
- The preseason includes a January 10 friendly against Independiente in Uruguay, and local coverage frames the moves as a push to stop Universitario from a fourth straight title.