River already has a guarantee on the bow: a few days ago it announced the renewal until December 2026 by Franco Armani, contemporary figure and idol. But although the signing brought peace of mind, the name of a goalkeeper who presents himself as an interesting market opportunity is beginning to fly over the club. Is about Ignacio De Arruabarrena, Uruguayan of 27 years who plays in Aroucaof Portugal, and as of June 30 you will have the pass in your possession. After two seasons in Europe, he can return to South American football with an incentive: they defined him as “the goalkeeper for penalties” of the Portuguese league, after he saved four out of nine shots last season.
A week ago, Leonardo Ponzio, a member of River’s technical secretariat, made a trip to Spain in which he mainly aimed to advance in the hiring of German Pezzella for 2024/2025. And during his stay he met with an intermediary who brought up the name of De Arruabarrena, who wants to emigrate from Portuguese football. Thus, by having his pass and having the Argentine citizenship by his father – who is also his representative – the archer appears as a concrete alternative.
A blast from Ignacio De Arruabarrena in the Portuguese league
De Arruabarrena was born in Montevideo on January 16, 1997 and attended the lower divisions in Wanderers, a club that promoted him to the first division in 2015 at the age of 18 and in which he made his professional debut in 2017, when he saved in two games in the Copa Libertadores. of the first stage, against Universitario, from Sucre. After starring in only those two games and accumulating 66 substitutions, in 2018 he went on loan to Tacuarembó, where he played 13 games and scored five undefeated goals. After that loan for a semester, he returned to Wanderers and until June 2022 he totaled 130 games between the Uruguayan championship and international competitions, with 41 zeros in his bow. In addition, he was a member of the Uruguayan under-20 and under-23 teams, and saved eight penalties in Wanderers and one in Tacuarembó.
Upon arriving in Portugal, in mid-2022, he signed for two seasons with Arouca and quickly took over the position: in his first season he accumulated 32 appearances, with 13 clean sheets, 32 goals conceded and 50% effectiveness in penalties (out of nine , saved four and one went wide) which was fundamental for qualification for the Conference League, thanks to fifth place in the Primeira Liga.
“In Uruguay I already had a certain fame and in Portugal I started very well, but it’s not that I consider myself especially strong in this section. I don’t overwork it either. There is not much mystery. What I do is watch a lot of videos, try to talk to the pitchers to make them nervous so that they end up pitching to the side I have in mind. Sometimes it works… and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s a little what ‘El Dibu’ does, but without so much ‘show’“, he commented in the newspaper Brand. “I always feel very strong in the head and that makes me comfortable. Having the same head whether there is a mistake or an important save,” she added.
In the current season, Arouca is seventh and De Arruabarrena has 33 performances, five zeros in his goal, 40 foreign goals and one penalty saved out of seven that was taken against him. Admirer Fernando Muslera and Iker Casillas, He defines himself as a “fast, agile and confident” archer. y dreams of being summoned to the Uruguayan senior teamwhich commands Marcelo Bielsatechnical director who he is following his task in Portuguese football. Thus, beyond that His initial wish was to continue in EuropeRiver’s half-open door appears on the way as a good alternative to make that leap to the Celeste.