River Plate has begun a major roster overhaul within its reserve squad, leading to a wave of departures, loan moves, and players sidelined while waiting for clarity on their futures, La Página Millonaria reported. Midfielder Thiago Acosta is the latest player to exit the club, leaving a group of young professionals training away from the main reserve team.
Thiago Acosta Departs for Boavista After Failing to Secure a Spot
Thiago Acosta has officially rescinded his contract with River Plate to join Boavista Sport Club in Brazil. The 21-year-old midfielder previously earned minutes and even starts with the senior team under manager Marcelo Gallardo late last year. However, he returned to the reserves ahead of the 2026 season. Following a first semester marked by a red card in a final, club officials informed him that he would no longer be considered for selection.
Acosta signed with the Brazilian side, which competes in the Campeonato Carioca and played in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série D in 2025. Although Acosta departed as a free agent, River Plate retained a 20 percent sell-on clause for any future transfer.
Franco Jaroszewicz Awaits Direction After Copa Sudamericana Inclusion
Goalkeeper Franco Jaroszewicz remains one of the high-profile players separated from the reserve squad. The 19-year-old’s current status drew attention across the club because he was named to River Plate’s official squad list for the Copa Sudamericana earlier in 2026. He stayed on the list through the round of 16 due to tournament rules limiting changes after the initial registration window.
❌ FRANCO JAROSZEWICZ no seguirá en River Plateℹ️ @pablitomolina_ pic.twitter.com/ChftWtF1S4
Weeks ago, journalist Hernán Castillo reported that the club informed Jaroszewicz, who holds a contract through 2028, that he needs to find a new team to continue his career.
Agustín Obregón and Lisandro Bajú Face Uncertain Futures on Defense
Defenders Agustín Obregón and Lisandro Bajú share the same sidelined status in the reserves. Obregón, a 20-year-old right-back with a contract running through December 31, 2027, made his senior debut in 2025 under Gallardo. He failed to secure a regular role and was deemed surplus to requirements, though no clubs have submitted formal transfer bids for him yet.
Bajú, 21, returned to Buenos Aires in mid-2026 after his loan spell at Montevideo Wanderers was cut short. His loan agreement originally spanned through the end of the year, but the arrangement was canceled early. Bajú’s contract also runs until the end of 2027.
Alexis González Returns from Sarmiento Loan Without Playing Time
Forward Alexis González also finds himself separated from the reserve squad following a brief loan spell. The 21-year-old center-forward spent the first half of 2026 on loan at Sarmiento de Junín, where he appeared in just two matches. He returned to River Plate and was labeled expendable within the reserve setup, though he has not yet attracted outside offers.
Mass Departures and Loans Shape the Rest of the Reserve Roster
While several players remain in limbo, a separate group of reserve footballers reached agreements with the club to terminate their contracts and leave outright. Alexander Woiski, Elián Giménez, Agustín De la Cuesta, Matías Unyicio, Ignacio Zaballa, Oswaldo Valencia, Brian Gutiérrez, and Jonathan Villalba all departed River Plate as part of the mid-2026 restructuring. Meanwhile, midfielder Cristian Jaime and other prospects accepted loan assignments with the explicit goal of gathering competitive match experience before returning to the club for the 2027 season.
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