Finally, Claudio Echeverri won't return to River. After weeks of talks and conflicting reports, Manchester City decided to loan "Diablito" out again. After a brief and low-impact spell at Bayer Leverkusen, the 19-year-old from Chaco will now try to relaunch himself at Girona, one of the clubs that belongs to City Group.
With no room in the squad of the English champion, Echeverri will join the Catalan side on a six-month loan, with the intention of getting regular playing time and beginning to establish himself in Europe, something that he still hasn't achieved since his early departure from Núñez. Manchester City's decision also definitively closed any possibility of a return to Millonario, at least at this stage of his career.
Diablito's numbers in his first year in Europe reflect the difficulties of the adaptation process. Since his arrival on the Old Continent, he has barely played 14 official matches: three in Manchester City's jersey, where he scored a goal against Al Ain in the Club World Cup, and eleven with Leverkusen, a spell in which he recorded only one assist.
Echeverri no logró afianzarse en el Leverkusen
His time in German soccer fell far short of expectations and led to an early recall by City. At the Aspirin side, he accumulated just 270 minutes spread over eleven games, six in the Bundesliga and five in the Champions League.
His last appearance was a late substitute cameo in the 2-2 draw against Newcastle on December 10, a conclusion that symbolizes a cycle without the prominence that the player and his camp had imagined. Now, at Girona, he will look for the continuity he needs to relaunch his career in Europe.
Echeverri's desire to return to River
Beyond the final decision, Diablito's priority was to return to the club where he was born as a footballer in order to regain prominence. However, Manchester City's stance was always clear: the youngster's immediate future had to remain tied to European soccer.
Echeverri tenía el deseo de volver a River
His agent, Enzo Montepaone, made that difference in criteria clear a few days ago when he acknowledged it publicly. "It's what Claudio wants, but it's not Manchester City's wish. I have some meetings scheduled with the executives and we're going to decide what Claudio's future will be, but I can tell you in advance that it will be in Europe", he stated.
