Tobías Reinhart introduced as Universidad de Chile's first signing after Superclásico debut

Making your debut in a Superclásico buildup with Charles Aránguiz right next to you is no small thing for anyone. That's exactly what happened to Tobías Reinhart last weekend against Ñublense, and this Tuesday Universidad de Chile made it official: the Argentine midfielder was introduced as the club's first signing for the second half of the season.

The midfielder arrives with a rather unusual recent story. He's coming off relegation to Italy's Serie C with Reggiana, which alone would have been enough to draw interest from some Serie B clubs. Instead, he chose a different path: crossing the Atlantic to wear the blue jersey. Developed at Temperley and a native of Lomas de Zamora, Reinhart didn't take long to make up his mind.

The truth is this is a club that's very well known in Argentina, and from the very first moment they talked to me about the project, I didn't have to think twice. I'm far from home, from my family, but a big club will always catch your attentionTobías Reinhart

Speaking about his debut in the blue jersey, the midfielder focused especially on the partnership he built with Aránguiz. It's no small detail that both share a similar playing profile, the kind of midfielders who shuttle between spaces and get involved in building the play. According to Reinhart, that tactical closeness made things much easier in his first match.

We kept switching sides because we both have that trait of covering spaces and helping build the play. I felt very comfortable. Charles makes you feel that way, he talks to you, he positions you, and he tells you where you need to be. It helped me a lotTobías Reinhart

Gago's trust

Another key name in this story is Fernando Gago, the U coach who was also a midfielder during his own playing career. Reinhart valued having someone nearby who understood his position from the inside and who gave him the green light to debut without hesitation.

He said Gago simply asked him if he was ready to play, and the answer was straightforward: yes, whatever was needed. Those kinds of gestures, he said, bring peace of mind at the start of a stint that isn't easy, arriving midyear to a squad that's already set.

With his debut behind him, Reinhart's mind is now on what's next. Before thinking about the big clash against Colo Colo, set for next Sunday, there's a mandatory stop first: this Saturday's match against Limache, which is key to keep picking up points and closing the gap in the standings.

The truth is we have a match this Saturday against Limache, and we're focused on that to keep closing the gap. That's the first goal; next week we'll think about the ClásicoTobías Reinhart

Staying grounded and not getting ahead of himself, the U's new midfielder seems to have a clear road map: Limache first, then the Superclásico. And little by little, earning his place in a midfield where he already has someone to learn from.