Club Brugge has secured its second summer transfer: blue-black pays 6 million for 24-year-old Argentinian defender

Club Brugge has strengthened its defense ahead of next season. Blauw-zwart manages to sign Zaid Romero, a 24-year-old central defender from Estudiantes. Club is paying six million euros for the Argentinian, who will take his medical tests in June.

It has been a theme for months, perhaps even years: Club needs a left-footed central defender. The rearguard has also received a lot of criticism this season, especially when Club lacked stability under Ronny Deila, but in recent weeks Nicky Hayen has turned the Bruges defense into an asset. Previously, however, the sporting management had judged that the search for fresh blood had to be intensified.

Club finally tracked down its dream signing in Argentina: number one on the wish list is Zaid Romero from Estudiantes. The 24-year-old is a left-footed central defender who combines great technical skills with a sturdy build (1.93 m). An all-rounder. Since Romero switched from Godoy Cruz in January 2023, he quickly became one of the strongholds at Estudiantes. At the end of last year he won the Copa Argentina with the top club.

Privateers on the coast

At the end of April the news broke that Club was on Romero’s trail. Now both clubs have reached an agreement. An agreement has been reached on a transfer fee of 6 million euros. Romero’s transfer value is actually estimated at €3.2 million, but Estudiantes were aiming for more than double that. It also negotiated a percentage on a resale.

There were privateers on the coast. Romero, among others, had Brazilian high-flyer Palmeiras on his radar. There was also interest from other European competitions, but Club is the winner. The presence of Dévy Rigaux should not be underestimated. The director of football speaks fluent Spanish and has excellent contacts in South America, including Argentina.

It’s only the beginning of May, but Zaid Romero is already Club Brugge’s second summer signing. The people of Bruges already announced Ardon Jashari (21) in April. The Swiss midfielder comes over from Lucerne in his home country for six million euros.