Inter Miami signs Argentine right back Marcelo Weigandt on loan from Boca Juniors
Inter Miami was trounced 4-0 by the New York Red Bulls last weekend, and has given up nine goals in five games, a concern for Coach Tata Martino despite the team sitting near the top of the MLS standings early in the season.
Help has arrived.
Marcelo “Chelo” Weigandt, a 24-year-old Argentine right back, signed with Inter Miami on loan from Boca Juniors through December 2024, with an option to extend the loan through 2025.
If his visa paperwork gets done in a hurry, there is a chance he could make his debut Saturday in Miami’s home game against New York City FC. If not, the aim would be to have him ready for the Champions Cup quarterfinal first leg at home against Mexican club Monterrey.
“We’re pleased to bring defender Marcelo Weigandt on loan from Boca Juniors. He is a skillful young defender that is fit and ready to contribute,” said Inter Miami sporting director Chris Henderson. “Marcelo comes with experience in both domestic and international competitions. We think this addition helps strengthen our squad to compete for titles.”
“I’m excited and proud to be joining such an ambitious club like Inter Miami. I’m looking forward to joining my new teammates, wearing the Club’s colors, and giving my all to help the team achieve our objectives,” said Weigandt.
Weigandt renewed his contract with Boca Juniors until December 2027 and the club is loaning him to Miami without a fee or purchase option, according to TyC media outlet in Argentina. If the player is sold after the first year with Inter Miami, Boca will keep 70 percent of the money and Miami would keep 30 percent.
Martino has been stressing that signing a right back is a priority since DeAndre Yedlin was traded to FC Cincinnati on March 4. Julian Gressel, David Ruiz and Robert Taylor have been used as stopgaps in recent games.
ESPN Argentina caught up with Weigandt at the Buenos Aires airport as he was leaving for Miami.
“I’m very happy and grateful to the people of Boca, also to Tata Martino and the people of Inter Miami”, Weigandt said. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s a goodbye, but I’m very happy that the fans supported me. Playing with (Lionel) Messi is everyone’s dream. I am very happy.”
“I tried to give everything on the field, to show that I am just another fan and I will continue to support them. MLS is a competitive league that is growing. I am very grateful that they have taken notice of me.
He made 72 appearances for Boca Juniors across all competitions, including 15 in the prestigious CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores, registering three goals and seven assists. During that time the right back helped Boca win five titles: two Argentine First Division titles (2020, 2022), a Copa de la Liga Profesional title (2022), a Supercopa de Argentina title (2022), and a Copa Argentina title (2019-20).
He will be the seventh Argentine on the Inter Miami roster, joining Lionel Messi, Tomas Aviles, Nico Freire, Fede Redondo, Franco Negri and Facundo Farias, who is out with a season-ending injury. Coach Martino is also from Argentina.
This story was originally published March 26, 2024 at 3:37 PM.