With the departure of players like Brenner Marlos, Percy Liza and Adrián Ugarriza, Sporting Cristal had fewer options for the '9' position. Currently, the Rimense club only has Irven Ávila and Diego Otoya as center forwards, but both had a discreet 2023, so the aim is to sign an experienced goalscorer. The player chosen by the heavenly board is the Uruguayan Martín Cauteruccio, who has scored more than 150 goals in the First Division throughout his career.
The 36-year-old attacker would be coming to Florida after playing last season Independent of Avellaneda. “Caute” scored 12 goals and two assists in 38 games, but would look to leave Rojo for greater continuity. However, the player would first have to resolve a legal issue with the Argentine occupation before accepting the Bajopontines' proposal.
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What is the situation between Martín Cauteruccio and Independiente?
According to reports from Argentina, the striker declared himself free due to alleged lack of payment from his team. According to journalist Matias Martinez, Independiente claimed to have deposited two checks for the player with the Futbolistas Argentinos Agremiados (FAA) union, money that the gunman allegedly did not receive.
As a result, Cauteruccio would have given the club 48 hours to cancel the debt while waiting for an agreement from both parties to terminate the contract (it expires in December 2024) or a legal solution. For now, the footballer could receive temporary permission from FIFA to play for another squad, Martinez adds.
Cauteruccio must terminate his contract with Independiente before signing for Sporting Cristal. Photo: Photo by Matias Martinez/X
The Uruguayan wants to leave the Avellaneda team due to the lack of continuity since the arrival of Carlos Tevez as coach. In addition to Cristal, he would have offers from other clubs abroad as well as Independiente Rivadavia, which was recently promoted to the Argentine First Division.
What are Sporting Cristal's new signings?
So far, Sporting Cristal has only officially announced the signings of Peruvian Quembol Guadalupe and Argentinian Santiago González. Brazilians Gustavo Cazonatti and Victor Jacaré, as well as Cauteruccio, are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.