Claudio Echeverri: Manchester City sign teenage midfielder from River Plate, loan him back until January 2025

Manchester City have signed midfielder Claudio Echeverri from River Plate, with the 18-year-old remaining at the Argentina giants on loan until January 2025.

It is reported City will pay an initial £12.5 million for Echeverri, who has penned a deal until June 2028, with another £7.5m in add-ons.

He captained Argentina at the Under-17 World Cup, bagging a hat-trick in the quarter-final win over Brazil before Argentina lost on penalties to Germany in the last four.

He follows in the path of World Cup winner and compatriot Julian Alvarez, who moved to the Etihad Stadium from River in 2022.

City have had a long affinity with players from Argentina, with the likes Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Nicolas Otamendi and Pablo Zabaleta starring for the club since Sheikh Mansour's takeover in 2008.

Meanwhile, River Plate's manager is ex-Argentina defender Martin Demichelis, who played for City between 2013 and 2016.

Man City are next in action when they travel to Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday.

They then host Burnley on Wednesday, January 31, live on TNT Sports.

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