The 18-year-old Ecuadorian prospect, who belongs to Chelsea, will arrive on a one-year loan
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Just hours before the clash against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata for the Torneo Apertura, the River world received news that unexpectedly shook up the transfer market. The club agreed on the arrival of Kendry Páez, an 18-year-old Ecuadorian attacking midfielder whose registration belongs to Chelsea, and who will join Marcelo Gallardo's squad on a loan deal.
The operation was handled with absolute secrecy and was unlocked after Lisandro Bajú's departure on loan to Montevideo Wanderers, which freed up a spot in the squad. According to specialized journalist Fabrizio Romano, the youngster will initially arrive for one year, with no purchase option and with a possible recall clause halfway through the year, although some contractual details still need to be defined.
El posteo de Fabrizio Romano en X
Páez can play both as a playmaker and on the wings, a characteristic that fits River's search in this market. His arrival will allow the coach to add an attacking option with potential in an area where the team was aiming to strengthen itself.
It should be clarified that although the midfielder belongs to Chelsea, a club that bought him in 2023 when he was just 16 years old for 25 million dollars, he has not yet officially debuted with the London side. Since August 2025, he has been on loan at Racing de Estrasburgo, where he played 21 matches and scored one goal, but the English club decided to interrupt the loan earlier than planned.
The English club's intention is for the Ecuadorian to gain minutes and continuity, something he did not achieve in the last half of the Ligue 1 season. In that context, River appears as an opportunity for him to regain the prominence he showed at Independiente del Valle.
Kendry Páez buscará tener más rodaje en River
In the coming hours, Páez will travel to Buenos Aires to undergo his medical examination and sign his contract. Once those steps are completed, he will be at Gallardo's disposal to join training sessions and be cleared to make his debut in the Apertura. This way, the young Ecuadorian will become the fourth signing for the Millonario in this market, after the arrivals of Aníbal Moreno, Fausto Vera, and Matías Viña.
