Claudio Echeverri Joins Guardiola's Manchester City After Stellar U20 Championship Performance

Synopsis

Claudio Echeverri has officially joined Manchester City under Pep Guardiola after a successful Under-20 South American Championship. The young Argentine midfielder, who was on loan at River Plate, brings impressive experience and talent to the squad.

Key Takeaways

Claudio Echeverri joins Manchester City after an impressive U20 Championship.
He scored six goals, becoming the second-highest scorer.
Experience with River Plate's senior team prior to joining City.
Contract with City lasts until summer 2028.
Eager to develop his skills under Pep Guardiola.

Manchester, Feb 27 (NationPress) Claudio Echeverri has officially linked up with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad for the very first time. The talented Argentine attacking midfielder signed with the club in January 2024 but continued his loan at River Plate until last month. The 19-year-old arrives in Manchester following an impressive run in the Under-20 South American Championship, where he led his national team to a runner-up finish.

With six goals in nine appearances, he ranked as the second-highest scorer in the tournament, highlighted by a double against both Brazil and Uruguay. This achievement adds to his distinguished youth international career, having captained Argentina at the 2023 U17 World Cup, where he netted five goals, including a hat-trick against Brazil.

Despite his young age, Echeverri brings valuable experience, having played 48 matches for River Plate’s senior team, where he scored four goals and assisted eight times.

The former City defender Martin Demichelis, who managed at El Monumental until July 2024, gave him his debut in June 2023. Since then, he has participated in 10 matches in the Copa Libertadores—the premier continental competition in South America—and 24 games in Argentina’s top division.

With a contract at City that extends until the summer of 2028, Echeverri will be part of the squad for the remainder of the 2024/25 season and beyond.

“I cannot express how thrilled I am to be in Manchester and to finally call myself a Manchester City player. Football has been my entire life, and my dream was to play for one of Europe's best teams. Today, I am one step closer to achieving that dream,” Echeverri stated.

“Manchester City is among the best teams globally. They not only win trophies but also play the game beautifully. They are a model for everyone, showcasing how to play football at its finest.

“Being part of this team and the culture at City—and using this as a foundation to enhance my game—is something I am truly excited about. My family and I are immensely proud to be here. My current focus is on training hard to demonstrate to the manager and his staff that I am ready to be a part of this team,” he added.

City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain commented: “Claudio is one of the most remarkable talents to emerge from South America in recent times. From the moment we saw him play, we were determined to bring him to Manchester City.

“He possesses all the essential qualities—his touch, technique, goal-scoring intuition, and dribbling skills. Our responsibility is to refine those attributes and develop Claudio into a world-class player.

“We will ensure he has everything necessary to reach his full potential. If he puts in the effort, learns from Pep, and gives his all, I see no reason why he cannot become an outstanding player,” he remarked.

City will next face Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fifth round at Etihad Stadium on March 1 before taking on Nottingham Forest in a Premier League away match on March 8.