23-year-old central defender Stefano Callegari has left Newell’s Old Boys to join Platense of the Primera Nacional on a loan deal.
The loan deal will last until December 2021. Before the deal was completed, Callegari agreed to sign a new contract at Newell’s Old Boys until 2022.
The deal is a free loan without any payment and with no option for Platense to make it a permanent deal, perhaps showing that Newell’s still see a future for Callegari at La Lepra.
Platense are now being coached by Juan Manuel Llop, a legendary ex-Newell’s player and himself also an ex-manager of Newell’s. Callegari is not the only Newell’s player that “Chocho” has amongst the ranks at the Calamares. Matías Tissera, who is also on loan from Newell’s, will count Callegari as a teammate at the Buenos Aires club.
Callegari has played 20 times for the Newell’s senior team but has struggled to nail down a place due to competition last season from Cristian Lema, Santiago Gentiletti and Fabricio Fontanini. Newell’s have added Manuel Guanini to the squad this year and even with the absence of Cristian Lema, it seems that Callegari would still be fourth choice at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
In a parting message on the official Newell’s website, Callegari said:
“I am grateful to Newell’s for allowing me to continue growing and to gain continuity. I owe everything to the club for having given me the opportunity to debut in the first division and grow day by day in this beautiful institution.”
Callegari was not the only player to leave Newell’s Old Boys on Friday, with the club also announcing the departure of Facundo Pardo on a permanent deal to Central Norte de Salta in Argentina’ Torneo Federal A division.
