Premier League
River Plate took another firm step in its policy of protecting young talent. The club closed the first professional contract of Joaquín Freitas, an 18-year-old forward who has already made his official debut in the First Division.
The agreement ties the player until December 2028 and includes a release clause of 100 million dollars, an amount equivalent to 84 million euros, reflecting the club's enormous confidence in his potential, as reported by Flashscore.
River Plate and a clear strategy with their youth
At River Plate, they consider it a priority to shield their best young prospects from an early age. The goal is clear: to prevent premature departures and maintain both the sporting and economic control over their young talents.
The 100 million dollar clause is part of that logic. The club understands that the international market closely follows Argentine football and aims to anticipate future interests.
Setting the value at 84 million euros also sends a message. River Plate is not in a hurry to sell and aims for the player's growth to happen within the club, without external pressures.
Joaquín Freitas's Development within River Plate
Joaquín Freitas arrived at River Plate in 2024 from Acassuso and quickly stood out in the youth divisions. His adaptation was swift, and his performance placed him as one of the most closely followed names in the Reserves.
In the last season, he played 31 matches, scored nine goals, and provided three assists. Moreover, he demonstrated the ability to play in various attacking roles.
One of his standout moments was scoring a goal against Boca Juniors in the Reserves' Superclásico, a match that reinforced his internal recognition.

From First Division Debut to a 100 Million Dollar Clause
The jump to the first team happened recently when he entered in the final minutes of the match against Vélez Sarsfield in the Clausura Tournament. That debut sped up the decision to formalize his contract.
From the management's perspective, the 84 million euro clause protects both the club and the player, allowing him to grow without haste or distractions.
A Favorable Environment at River Plate
The environment is also supportive. Marcelo Gallardo has shown confidence in young players in various cycles, giving them real opportunities when he believes they are ready.
Competition is high, with other well-regarded forwards like Agustín Ruberto and Bautista Dadín. Nevertheless, at River Plate, they believe that Joaquín Freitas has what it takes to earn his place through hard work and consistency.
With this decision, River Plate reinforces an idea it has been upholding in recent years: safeguarding its sporting assets and building the future from its own youth divisions, placing strong bets on talents like Joaquín Freitas.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, River Plate blinda el futuro de una joya con una cláusula de 100 millones
