Former Manchester United Goalkeeper Joins Boca Juniors

Sergio Romero, who was at Manchester United from 2015 to 2021, has returned to South America and joined Argentine giants Boca Juniors.

Speaking to Boca’s official website Romero said:

"As everyone will have heard, in the last week I was training at Racing and they asked me about the possibility of Boca. I thought about it very well and I am happy with the possibility, I think it’s a step forward in my career.Talking about it with my wife at home, we decided that it was a very good possibility to be part of this club, stop at Boca and do my part for the club’s goals. It was one of the best decisions of my life, I came to the club largest in Argentina."

Romero’s Time at Manchester United

Romero arrived in Manchester from Sampdoria in 2015, the Argentine had also played for Racing, AZ Alkmaar, and a loan spell at Monaco.

United’s manager at the time was Louis Van Gaal, who knew the goalkeeper from their time together at AZ. Romero played 61 times in total for Man United, keeping 39 clean sheets and conceding 27 goals.

However, only seven appearances came in the Premier League as Romero was often used for European and cup competitions.

His biggest achievement came in winning the 2017 Europa League where he played from the group stages all the way through to the final, where he kept a clean sheet against Ajax.

Romero left the club in 2021 and went on to play for Venezia in Italy and has now joined Boca.

What Does He Bring to Boca?

Experience will be the main asset Romero will bring to Boca. He is 35 now and has played in the top leagues of England, France, and Italy.

He also has 96 caps for his country and played in the 2014 World Cup final. However, Argentina was defeated by Germany that day with Mario Gotze’s extra-time goal being the difference. Romero also finished as the runner-up in Copa America twice although he did win a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.

In the final of the Olympics in Athens he kept a clean sheet against Nigeria and Angel Di Maria scored the winner for a team that also included Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Juan Roman Riquelme, and Javier Mascherano.

Boca is in need of a goalkeeper as their current first choice Agustín Rossi is expected to leave the club when his contract runs out in 2023.

The Argentine club have had a mixed season. They won the Copa de la Liga, defeating Tigre in the final. Although in the Liga Profesional they are currently in 11th place after 12 games, with six wins, 0 draws, and six defeats.

He will be reunited with former Re Devils defender Marcos Rojo and they have a tough game this weekend as they take on Racing. Romero has been training with Racing so should be able to offer some insight into their team.

It is an interesting fixture, as Racing have a former Argentina teammate of Romero, Fernando Gago, as manager. Boca Juniors need experience and Romero will bring this in abundance.