Overview
- Thiago Almada was officially presented at El Monumental and signed a contract through December 2030 after River paid a reported €20 million to Atlético de Madrid, sources said on Tuesday.
- Almada told Radio La Red that a personal call from coach Eduardo Coudet and conversations with teammates such as Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Correa were decisive in his choice to return to Argentina.
- Clarín and other outlets reported that AFA president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia tried to steer the player toward Boca, a claim that Almada denied when he said Tapia does not interfere in players' decisions.
- River’s technical staff said Almada is training with the squad and could be available for upcoming domestic fixtures or the Copa Sudamericana octavos after the continental tie was postponed, which the club says gives him extra preparation time.
- The signing is framed as a major attempt to end River’s recent run of losses and goal drought, and the club faces close scrutiny over results, possible resale or buyback clauses with Atlético, and fan expectations highlighted by public messages from teammates such as Enzo Fernández.