Former Benfica star available on free transfer
One of the Benfica greats of the last decade is available on a free transfer with his contract expiring this summer.
Having left Benfica in 2016 to join Atletico Madrid for 25 million euros, Nico Gaitan was a man in demand throughout his time in Lisbon, having showed the trickery and creativity to play at an even higher level.
Having won 3 league trophies with Benfica, as well as helping lead them to the Europa League final in both 2013 and 2014, Gaitan was expected to continue to impress during his time in Spain, but although he made 49 appearances for Atletico Madrid in just two years at the club, on average he only played 46 minutes per game across all competitions for the La Liga giants.
Upon leaving Atletico Madrid in 2018, the now 32-year old winger joined Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang, before moving to the US to represent MLS outfit Chicago Fire. At both sides he impressed, proving an integral figure both in China and America.
After two solid years outside of Europe, he returned by joining high-flying French outfit LOSC Lille in January, but failed to start a game, making 4 substitute appearances before the season came to a premature end after the cancellation of the remainder of Ligue 1 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Though he failed to make an impression in France, he wasn’t given anywhere near enough time to show his true capabilities, and now could prove a good addition to many a side on a free transfer.
Where do you think Gaitan will end up moving to next?
Photo author: Вячеслав Евдокимов. License link.
