Claudio Echeverri has declared his admiration for the creative players he will be linking up with at Manchester City, having arrived at the club this week - one year after his transfer was originally announced, in the January 2024 transfer window.
The 19-year-old has spent the last 12 months on loan to his previous club River Plate. In the meantime, Man City have added players such as Savinho to their attacking options, while Jeremy Doku has been impressing on the left wing during his second season at the club.
"I’ve watched them play, I'm a big fan of Doku," Echeverri told Man City's official website.
"I see myself in them. They’re very dynamic players, as we say in Argentina, "very spicy" with the ball.
"They always take on defenders and go forward every time they get the ball. The way they play is something to admire."
Impressing with Argentina, training with Messi
Echeverri begins life in Manchester on the back of a successful Under-20 South American championships, where he was the second-highest goalscorer, behind only Colombia's Neiser Villarreal. The Man City signing captained and scored six goals for Argentina, as they finished runners-up to Brazil on 16 February.
"We couldn’t win the tournament, but I’m proud of our performance," said Echeverri.
"Individually, I think I did well. I finished as the second top scorer with six goals.
"It was great to contribute to the team and prove myself. That tournament helped me showcase my football skills, which is what I love to do.
"Coming here [to Man City] afterwards gave me even more motivation. It was exciting to think about what was coming next."
See: Echeverri in action for Argentina
Echeverri was also Argentina's skipper for the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2023, when he scored five goals - including a hat-trick against Brazil. In preparation for the tournament, he was invited to train with Lionel Messi and his team-mates in the senior squad, with Angel Di Maria commenting, "He looked sharp, we definitely watched him. He has a lot to give."
Man City's 12th Argentinian
Echeverri is set to follow a stellar list of compatriots who have played for Man City, with the latest - Julian Alvarez - also making the same move direct from River Plate. Alvarez scored 36 goals in 103 appearances for the club, before ending his two-year spell with a transfer to Atletico Madrid last summer.
The other Argentinians who have pulled on a City shirt include Pablo Zabaleta, Carlos Tevez, Willy Caballero, Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis - who, as head coach gave Echeverri his River Plate debut in June 2023 - and of course, the Premier League's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time, Sergio Aguero.
"I’ve spoken to [Sergio] Aguero," revealed Echeverri, in his arrival interview with City.
"I also talked to Martin Demichelis. They told me it [City] was a great club with amazing players and a beautiful history.
"Aguero, in particular, stands out [as a City player from Argentina]. He’s a legend here at Manchester City because of everything he achieved and the incredible player he was.
"I used to watch him play and, honestly, it’s an amazing feeling to be here."
When asked if he believes City have a special connection with Argentina, Echeverri replied: "Yes, I think so. Especially because of the players who have come here and done really well – Aguero, Alvarez, Zabaleta. They are all very important players who have played here."
One for Guardiola's 'future'
Pep Guardiola commented after Wednesday's 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur that he had seen a glimpse of the future when Erling Haaland (aged 24) scored at the end of a move in which January signing Nico (23) fed Doku (22) for the assist.
"For sure [the goal] it’s the future. We have a young, young team," said Guardiola, also referencing Abdukodir Khusanov (20) and Josko Gvardiol (23).
Echeverri, who will wear the No 30 shirt for City, has signed a contract until the end of the 2027/28 season, when he will be 22 years old.
When could Echeverri make his debut?
While Echeverri may need time to adapt to his new surroundings, Man City are next in action at 17:45 GMT this Saturday when they host Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fifth-round.
Their Premier League schedule will then resume with an away match at Nottingham Forest the following Saturday, 8 March, at 12:30 GMT.
