Bayer Leverkusen have announced that they have completed the signing of striker Alejo Sarco from Velez Sarsfield on a free transfer.

The 18-year-old signs a four-and-a-half-year contract at Leverkusen until 2029. On moving to the BayArena, Sarco said:

“Bayer 04 has been interested for some time, which is why I followed the club’s fantastic past season all the more intensively. It is exciting for me to be a part of this team in the future and a great challenge to strengthen it with my resources.”

Leverkusen had tried to sign Sarco in the summer, but his club Velez Sarsfield blocked the move. The Argentine side then banned the striker from the first team and demoted him to the reserves.

Sarco will add another option at striker behind Patrik Schick and the soon-to-return Victor Boniface as Leverkusen looks to retain their Bundesliga title. However, it is currently unknown how quickly he will be integrated into the first team.

This isn’t the first time that Leverkusen have shopped in Argentina. Exequiel Palacios, Piero Hincapié and Lucas Alario have all crossed the Atlantic and had some success at the BayArena.

Leverkusen continue their pursuit of Bayern Munich on the 10th of January when they travel to face Borussia Dortmund.