Cruz Azul confirmed the signing of Agustín Palavecino as its first official reinforcement for the Clausura 2026 tournament. The Argentine midfielder arrives from Necaxa to bolster the celestial midfield. His arrival is facilitated by Ignacio Rivero's departure, which freed up a non-Mexican formed player spot.
Cruz Azul officially announced the arrival of Agustín Palavecino, a 29-year-old Argentine midfielder, through a video on its social media. Palavecino, who stands out for his game reading, passing precision, and field dynamism, joins the team for Clausura 2026 under Nicolás Larcamón's guidance. His experience includes stints at Platense and River Plate in Argentina, Deportivo Cali in Colombia, and Necaxa in Liga MX, easing his adaptation to Mexican football.
This signing marks the first confirmed reinforcement for the celestial club, which aims to reconfigure its squad after key departures. Ignacio Rivero's exit, the Uruguayan captain who wore the jersey for five and a half years, freed the necessary spot for Palavecino. In an emotional Instagram letter, Rivero bid farewell to Cruz Azul, stating: “Today I have to close a very important stage of my life” and “I leave with a full heart and proud.” The Uruguayan, who arrived in 2020 and contributed to titles like the ninth star in 2021, now joins Xolos de Tijuana, leaving open the possibility of a future reunion.
Palavecino already has his documents in order and could debut this Saturday in Jornada 1 against León. Meanwhile, forward Miguel Borja awaits processing his visa to join officially. Celestial fans received the news with anticipation, expecting a more balanced midfield to regain prominence in Liga MX.