Liga MX top scorer Harold Preciado bound for Europe
The Liga MX scoring champion could go to Spain’s second division if both institutions manage to reach an agreement.
Spanish second division side Sporting Gijón are very close to signing Colombian forward Harold Preciado. The 29-year-old, who is the current Liga MX top scorer is set to leave Santos Laguna to begin a new adventure in Europe. With Santos, Preciado established himself as the maximum goal scorer in the Mexican top flight with 11 goals in the Clausura 2023 tournament.
Sporting eyeing promotion
According to information from Daniel Velasco, Harold Preciado, is open to the move due to the excitement surrounding the Asturian club. Sporting are currently third in the LaLiga Hypermotion, Spain’s second tier, four points behind leaders Leganés and with a realistic chance of being promoted this season. The Rojiblancos’ last spell in LaLiga was in 2016/17 when they finished 18th.
Adapting to a new league and different culture shouldn’t be too much of a problem for Preciado, who spent four seasons playing in China with Shenzhen FC. In his native Colombia, he enjoyed spells at Deportivo Cali and Jaguares de Córdoba, so he has built up plenty of experience at all levels.
Obviously, being the top scorer in Mexico, the South American has aroused interest from a number of clubs, but everything indicates that Spain could be his next destination. Interestingly, Sporting Gijón is owned by Mexican company Grupo Orlegi and Alejandro Irarragorri is the club president, which suggests that the operation could already be practically closed.
Preciado was the sixth player to win a scoring title with Santos Laguna, following in the footsteps of Gabriel Caballero (Summer 1997), Jared Borgetti (Winter 2000), Matías Vuoso (Closing 2005 and Opening 2005), Christian Benítez (Apertura 2010) and Djaniny Tavares (Clausura 2018), Now, the Laguneros will have to look for two effective replacements in attack, as it is believed that Juan Brunetta will also leave.