Independiente signs Chilean striker Ivan Morales after Kevin Lomonaco's departure

Independiente had an obvious problem on its hands: with Gabriel Avalos gone, the only real reference point up front for Jadson Viera was Felipe Tempone, a young player still developing. The club found a way out through an unusual route: a signing made after the transfer window had already closed. The man they picked is Chilean striker Ivan Morales, arriving from Argentinos Juniors.

How does a signing outside the registration period even happen? According to Nicolas Brusco on SportsCenter, the whole thing was unlocked by the last minute departure of Kevin Lomonaco, who left for Elche in Spain. That sale forced Independiente, known as El Rojo, to file a special request with the Executive Committee for permission to go out and find an attacking replacement even though the market was technically shut. The green light came through, and the club moved quickly to land Morales.

The deal was closed as a loan through June 2027, with a clause allowing it to be automatically renewed until December of that same year. Independiente also secured a purchase option of $1,500,000.00 for 50 percent of his rights, giving the club room to think about the player over the medium term if he settles in well.

A forward with experience across three countries

Morales, 27, came up through Colo Colo, where he played between 2015 and 2021 and put together a prolific record for his age: 29 goals in 103 matches, along with six titles won with the Cacique. That spell was his big breakthrough before he tried his luck abroad.

His next stop was Cruz Azul in Mexico, where his output dropped off considerably: just two goals in 37 appearances between 2022 and 2023. In 2024 he arrived in Argentine soccer with Sarmiento, a club where he did regain some rhythm, scoring six goals in 61 appearances over two seasons wearing the green jersey.

He then joined Argentinos Juniors as a free agent, but things got tougher there: he never managed to lock down a regular spot under coach Nico Diez, and his time at the club was limited to 2 goals in 18 matches. Now he will look to relaunch his career in Avellaneda, in a position where Independiente needs urgent answers.

With the Chile national team, Morales came up through the youth ranks before making his senior debut in 2019. Since then he has earned eight caps for La Roja and scored one goal, fittingly against Mexico.