River Plate sees Kendry Páez depart after brief loan
Kendry Páez confirmed his exit from River Plate, posting a farewell on Instagram after the club ended loan from Chelsea of England (Inglaterra). The 19‑year‑old midfielder, who arrived at Millonario in January, said spell ends before Banfield clash that will mark Leonardo Ponzio’s debut, thanking Núñez fans and noting Ian Subiabre and a move to Vasco Da Gama are leaving.
Loan terms and limited impact
The loan began in January for eighteen months without a purchase option, after Marcelo Gallardo pushed for the signing following Páez’s release from Racing de Strasbourg. The agreement allowed an extension to mid‑2027, but the club discarded it as the midfielder logged only 461 minutes and started three times.
During his brief spell, Páez managed a single goal – a strike against Aldosivi – and provided one assist. He posted his gratitude on Instagram, writing that the stage had ended and thanking the club, teammates, technical staff and the Núñez crowd for their support.
His fortunes declined after Gallardo’s departure and Eduardo Coudet’s arrival, relegating him to a group of fifteen players on the periphery. The interim appointment of Leonardo Ponzio did not alter his status, and he remained excluded from matchday squads.
Farewell and future outlook
Páez’s final appearance came on 24 May, when he entered the closing minutes of the Apertura final against Belgrano. Since that night he has not featured in any official competition, and Chelsea – the holder of his registration – is reportedly seeking a new club for him.
The broader squad overhaul also saw Giuliano Galoppo and Matías Galarza Fonda pushed out, with the latter not having played since the 20 May 1‑1 draw with Red Bull Bragantino in the Copa Sudamericana and now negotiating a move to Paraguay’s Olimpia. Galarza is already linked to a loan at Atlanta United that includes a six‑million‑dollar purchase clause. Other departures listed include Ian Subiabre, who is moving to Vasco Da Gama, among a long list of exits such as Franco Armani and Sebastián Boselli.
Conversely, River Plate reinforced the roster with signings including Thiago Almada, Ángel Correa, Nicolás Otamendi and others, aiming to stabilise the team ahead of the upcoming fixtures. The influx aims to compensate for the loss of several experienced players and to provide depth across midfield and attack.