INTER MIAMI
Marcelo ‘Chelo’ Weigandt arrives in Miami ahead of signing for MLS side
The full-back, brought in to replace the outgoing DeAndre Yedlin, will sign on loan for The Herons.
Inter Miami have found DeAndre Yedlin’s replacement. The Herons managed to seal the loan of Marcelo ‘Chelo’ Weigandt for the next two seasons at no cost.
The Argentine, who renewed his contract with the ‘Xeneize’ until December 2027 before leaving, will not have a purchase option. However according to TyC, if Inter Miami decide to buy the player after the first year, Boca will keep 70% of the money with the 30% left over remaining in Florida.
“I’m very happy and grateful to the people of Boca, also to Tata Martino and the people of Inter Miami”, Weigandt said. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m taking it easy and enjoying the trip. It’s a goodbye, but I’m very happy that the fans supported me. Playing with Messi is everyone’s dream. I am very happy.”
‘MLS is a competitive league that is growing’
“I tried to give everything on the field, to show that I am just another fan and I will continue to support them,” said Chelo in an interview with ESPN at the airport before leaving for Florida. “MLS is a competitive league that is growing. I am very grateful that they have taken notice of me,” he said.
Inter Miami desperately needed a right-back following the shock departure of club legend Yedlin. Since the former captain’s departure, ‘Tata’ Martino had relied on the versatile Gressel as a stopgap until the arrival of a natural full-back.
Inter Miami:
Although the German-American was able to fill in, the loss in the midfield forced Tata into rotations, where Sergio Busquets, Diego Gómez and Federico Redondo have been taking turns, with the latter two impressing.
If everything goes according to plan (if Weigandt does not have problems with the visa as happened to Redondo), the full-back could make his debut against New York City at Chase Stadium next Saturday, if Tata is pleased with his adaptation to his new league, teammates, club and country. If not, he could have his first minutes next Wednesday in an intense match against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-finals.