Ins and outs: The lowdown on Chivas’s Clausura 2026 transfer business
Ahead of the Liga MX’s Clausura 2026 tournament, Chivas Guadalajara has sought to make major changes to its roster.
The Clausura 2026 tournament is just days away, and clubs across Mexican soccer have reinforced their squads as best they can in pursuit of glory. Chivas Guadalajara is determined to taste victory again, nearly nine years after its last Liga MX title. To get there, the project led by Gabriel Milito ordered several changes to the roster.
From what we saw in the transfer market, it feels like Chivas underwent a major house‑cleaning. Departures far outnumber arrivals. Eleven members of the Rebaño Sagrado are no longer in the club’s plans, and only three new faces have been brought in to work under the Argentine manager.
Who has Chivas signed?
In terms of additions, Chivas’ biggest signing this semester is Mexican‑American midfielder Brian Gutiérrez, who arrived from the Chicago Fire in MLS in a deal reportedly worth around $5 million. He’s already been starting in midfield throughout preseason, and all signs point to him opening the tournament in the XI this Saturday against Pachuca.
The club also added veteran forward Ángel Sepúlveda, who is about to turn 35 and joins from Cruz Azul. Chivas made a strong bet on him, opting to buy him outright for his second stint in red and white. His first run with the club was rough - just six months marked by more disappointment than success.
Finally, the attack was further reinforced with the return of striker Ricardo Marín. After completing a one‑year loan with Puebla, his numbers were solid enough for Chivas to bring him back, especially given the losses the current squad has suffered in that area of the field.
Who isn’t returning for the Clausura?
The list of departures is far longer. In total, 11 first‑team players are no longer in the plans. At the end of last season, Javier Hernández left after the club chose not to renew his contract following an underwhelming stint. Defender Raúl Martínez moved to Necaxa, Cade Cowell joined the New York Red Bulls in MLS, and Isaac Brizuela’s contract expired without renewal.
Then, before the team began its preseason beach work, Guadalajara informed seven additional first‑team players that they would not be making the trip to Isla Navidad and should begin looking for new clubs to continue their careers. Those players were Alan Pulido, Erick Gutiérrez, Alan Mozo, Luis Olivas, Leonardo Sepúlveda, Teun Wilke, and Eduardo “El Dragón” García.
Of that group, only Mozo has his immediate future settled - he joined Pachuca on loan. The rest remain uncertain for now. Wilke is negotiating with Colombia’s Fortaleza, García with Mazatlán, and Gutiérrez with Pachuca. At the moment, there are no offers for Olivas, Sepúlveda, or Pulido.
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