Lucas Alario able to play for Bayer 04

"We are happy the matter is finally settled," said Rudi Völler in response the decision. The Bayer 04 sporting director emphasised, "at the end of the day there was no other possible decision. We completed the transfer taking into account all of the recognised rules and directives. It's a pity that River Plate put forward a different interpretation and denied the player's wishes to move under the agreed transfer terms."

Coach Heiko Herrlich is also very happy that the transfer dispute has been resolved, "Lucas has had to suffer the most. Now, a much awaited stage of his life can begin and we finally have the player who can help us with his ability," said Herrlich.

"One of the best strikers in South America"

The 24-year-old Argentina international signed a contract at Bayer 04 to 30 June 2022. "We've had our eye on Lucas Alario for a while. He has progressed very well in the past two years and is now one of the best strikers in South America," declared Rudi Völler. "That's why he attracted so much attention from top clubs. We are happy that he's signed for us. He has not fully exhausted his potential and we are convinced that he will continue along his promising path at Bayer 04."

Heiko Herrlich describes the qualities of the 1.85 m tall new signing, who he has been able to watch closely in training in recent weeks, as follows: "Lucas has excellent technique, outstanding ability to finish, is good in the air and knows exactly how he should act as the central striker to help the team. In addition, he is determined to keep on improving. He can be very valuable to us with that mentality."

In the last two years, Lucas Alario played for the Argentinian top-flight club River Plate Buenos Aires. He scored 41 goals in 82 appearances for River Plate and also provided 13 assists. He also won the Copa Libertadores with the club in 2015 and was also the top goalscorer in winning the Copa Argentina in 2017. "Bayer 04 are a big club with ambitious targets. Several South American players have already made their breakthrough in Europe at Leverkusen," declared the striker who played his first full international for Argentina in September 2016. "I'm very happy to be here and I'd like to help the club achieve their targets."

ALARIO follows Placente

Alario made his professional debut at the age of 18 with Club Atlético Colón. He joined River Plate in 2015. Diego Placente moved from the Argentinian record champions to Leverkusen in 2001. To date, he was the only other Argentinian at Bayer 04 to play for the Werkself for four years with 171 appearances and in 2002 he was in the team that played in the final of the DFB Cup and also in the Champions League final.