SOCCER
Luis Malagón to join Club América amidst Guillermo Ochoa uncertainty
Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa has yet to sign a new contract at América, who have snapped up Luis Malagón from Necaxa
Club América have already set Plan B in motion in case goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa opts not to renew his contract at the club. Necaxa stopper Luis Malagón has been identified as a alternative by Las Águilas’ scouting team and a verbal agreement for his transfer has already been reached between the two clubs. Malagón will move to Mexico City regardless of whether Ochoa signs a new deal or not.
According to journalist César Merlo of Superdeportivo, one América’s main priorities ahead of the 2023 Clausula has been to sign a goalkeeper in case they are unable to persuade Ochoa to stay on. And 25-year-old Malagón, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics with Mexico in 2021, is the man they have settled on.
Merlo reports that the deal between América and Necaxa has been done and that Malagón, who is valued at €3.5 million by Transfermakrt, a website specialising in transfers and market values, will be officially announced by Los Azulcremas in the next few days. He will be the second player to join the club in time for the new campaign following the arrival of defender Israel Reyes from Puebla a few weeks ago.
Malagón came through the academy at Atlético Morelia but moved to Necaxa in 2020 and became their first choice between the sticks. He has amassed more than 7000 minutes of Liga MX football during his career so far.
Malagón’s role at América
If Ochoa eventually does renew his contract, as appears likely to happen, Malagón would initially be América’s backup goalkeeper, with Óscar Jiménez, whose contract at the club runs out at the end of the month, expected to leave Las Águilas in search of regular first-team football elsewhere in Mexico.