Leverkusen signs Exequiel Palacios from River Plate

Bayer Leverkusen has signed River Plate playmaker Exequiel Palacios, the two clubs have confirmed.

The Bundesliga club said on Monday the 21-year-old midfielder signed a contract from January 1 through June 2025.

“Palacios is a technically gifted midfielder able to score goals and he has the ability to involve his teammates. He fits in really well with our team and the way we play,” managing director Rudi Völler said.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes said the club had been observing Palacios “for a long time and he’s really impressed us.”

Palacios helped River win the Copa Argentina in his last game for the club, and the Copa Libertadores final in 2018. River reached the final again last month, but lost to Flamengo 2-1. Palacios was sent off in injury time.

Palacios played 77 competitive games for River and his contract there ran to 2021. Kicker magazine reported Leverkusen was profiting from financial difficulties at the club and was paying 22 million euros (US$24.5 million) for the player’s transfer.

 – AP