River Plate has officially reached an agreement with Nicolás Otamendi, marking him as the club's first signing of the upcoming winter transfer window. The world champion center-back will join River after concluding his contract with Benfica as a free agent. Otamendi, a lifelong supporter of River, is set to sign a contract that will keep him at the club until December 2027, potentially before he departs for the World Cup.

Return to Argentina

What was once a distant dream is now on the verge of becoming a reality. Nicolás Otamendi, widely regarded as one of Argentina's finest center-backs, will don the River jersey following the World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, where he will represent the Argentina national team for the final time. The plan is for him to finalize his contract for the next 18 months before heading to Kansas City, where Lionel Scaloni's squad will be stationed during the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.

A Legacy at Benfica

Otamendi's departure from Benfica concludes a successful six-year stint, during which he made 281 appearances and netted 18 goals. The El Talar native also had notable spells at Porto and Manchester City, winning a total of 22 titles across his European career. At 38 years old, he has chosen to return to Argentina to fulfill his long-held ambition of playing for River Plate.

Benfica expressed their appreciation for Otamendi's contributions through a social media statement, highlighting his passion, dedication, and leadership during his time at the club. Coach José Mourinho acknowledged Otamendi's decision to leave, stating, "There are people who have earned the right to choose their future because of everything they have built in football, and Otamendi is one of them."

As River Plate prepares for a crucial week, with the Torneo Apertura final against Belgrano approaching, Otamendi's arrival is a significant boost. He will also be the first signing of the Coudet era, joining a squad that already includes four other world champions: Franco Armani, Germán Pezzella, Gonzalo Montiel, and Marcos Acuña.