Fluminense already officially replaced Jhon Arias with a Colombian and is not Marino Hnestroza

Santiago Moreno in the Copa Libertadores 2021 with América de Cali.

Photo: AFP Agency

Santiago Moreno is a new Fluminense player. The 25 -year -old Colombian end arrives from the MLS Portland Timbers to reinforce the Rio de Janeiro team, which seeks to supply Jhon Arias's departure to the Wolverhampton from England. Although Marino Hnestroza, from Atlético Nacional, had sounded, the Brazilians opted for another option.

Emerged in América de Cali, where he was two -time and appears in stars 14 and 15, Moreno will have the challenge of assuming a leading role in a team that sees him as a key piece in the offensive front. He signed a contract until the end of 2029, after exceeding medical exams.

In his passage through Portland since 2021, Moreno played 131 games, 109 as a starter, with a balance of 20 goals and 40 assists. His most recent numbers, in the 2024 season, confirm their impact: 58 meetings (50 as a starter), 11 goals, 16 assists and 27 direct participations in annotations. In addition, it generated 23 great opportunities, gave 111 key passes and completed 104 successful dribbles. His contribution was not limited to the attack, as he registered 91 recoveries and maintained an average rating of 7.25 in Sofascore.

Fluminense highlighted in his statement the quality and versatility of Moreno, stressing that his signing responds to the need to maintain the offensive dynamics that characterized the team in recent years. “We are sure that Santiago will quickly adapt to the club's game style and will be an important reinforcement for our aspirations,” said the Brazilian institution.

The departure of Jhon Arias, who left an indelible mark on the Maracana, left a vacuum that Moreno is called to fill. Fluminense trusts that the former America of Cali contributions not only goals and assists, but also the intensity and creativity necessary to break defenses. Its characteristics – reverse, dribble and vision of the game – fit into the Flu scheme, which privileges possession and vertical game.

For Moreno, this transfer represents a new chapter in his career and an ideal showcase to consolidate in South American football. He could also bring him closer to the Colombian National Team. Now, in one of the most important clubs in Brazil, in which he will share with Kevin Serna and Gabriel Fuentes, he will have the opportunity to show that he is ready to follow the path of compatriots that shone in Fluminense and that, as Arias, they used that platform to project European football.

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