Marcos Rojo Nears Third Estudiantes Spell After Racing Agreement
Marcos Rojo is set for a third spell at Estudiantes after Racing agreed in principle to let the 36-year-old defender return to La Plata, with a contract until December 2027 due to be signed on Monday.
The deal is not yet officially announced by Racing, but the clubs have settled the main terms following lengthy negotiations. Estudiantes will pay about $800,000 for the final three months of Rojo’s Racing agreement, with additional bonuses linked to each victory in which he plays for the City Bell club.
Rojo pushes through Estudiantes return
Racing sporting director Diego Milito had initially resisted the departure before eventually approving the move. Rojo also played a decisive role in getting the transfer over the line, missing recent sessions at Racing’s Tita Mattiusi training complex and accepting that he would relinquish a significant part of money owed to him by the club.
The former Argentina international wants to end his career in the Copa Libertadores with the team where his senior career began. Estudiantes have moved quickly because of an urgent shortage at centre-back before their Libertadores semi-final first leg against Flamengo.
Head coach Alexander Medina will be without Leandro González Pírez and Tomás Palacios for that opening match after both accumulated too many yellow cards. Rojo’s arrival would give Medina an experienced left-footed option and a senior voice in a depleted back line.
Chance to repair Estudiantes relationship
The move also gives Rojo an opportunity to rebuild his connection with Estudiantes supporters. His planned return in 2020 collapsed before he joined Boca Juniors, a decision that caused anger among the Pincha fanbase.
Rojo made 54 appearances and scored four goals across his first two Estudiantes stints. He was part of the side that won the Copa Libertadores in 2009.
What happens next is the expected signing on Monday, followed by Estudiantes assessing how quickly Rojo can be integrated into preparations for Flamengo. Progress to another Libertadores final would give the veteran a major chance to reshape the final chapter of his Estudiantes story.
