Liga MX Club Signs Champions League Winner Who Starred Between the Posts for Real Madrid
After several weeks of turbulent negotiations with various twists and turns, Mexican Liga MX club Pumas has successfully completed the acquisition of renowned Costa Rican shot-stopper Keylor Navas.
Pumas had been pursuing Navas throughout the summer transfer window, though Newell's Old Boys initially set an expensive asking price for the Mexico City outfit that almost derailed the entire deal.
Nevertheless, the 38-year-old custodian clearly expressed his desire to move to Liga MX to be nearer to his loved ones, compelling Newell's to accommodate his wishes and accept a $2 million transfer fee from Pumas to complete the move.
"Keylor Navas is no longer a member of our professional football team and will pursue his career with Mexico's Pumas," stated Newell's in an official announcement. "This choice has been reached based on our determination to maintain a collective vision where dedication, professionalism and adherence to the club's principles are essential foundations.
"We strongly believe that achieving our sporting and personal goals requires every individual to move in unison, consistently placing the team above personal interests."
The firm statement was released one day following Navas's refusal to feature for Newell's in their match against Banfield. Navas allegedly asked coach Cristian Fabbiani to exclude him from the lineup despite participating in pre-match preparations. This incident was viewed as the breaking point, and Navas is now heading to Mexico.
Pumas had been pursuing the former Real Madrid shot-stopper since the beginning of June. The organization believed the signing was inevitable, but when talks reached an impasse, they were compelled to begin the Liga MX Apertura 2025 campaign with 17-year-old newcomer Rodrigo Parra as their goalkeeper.
The backup strategy proved disastrous as Parra's expensive errors in the first two matches led to Pumas allowing six goals combined in consecutive losses to start the season.
Navas's arrival caps off a fascinating transfer window for Pumas. The three-time Champions League champion joins ex-Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey at Pumas as two of Liga MX's most significant summer acquisitions. Efraín Juárez's squad also secured Ecuador international Pedro Vite's services last week.
Pumas will aim to recover from their disappointing season opener, but acquiring Concacaf's finest goalkeeper of all time represents excellent news for both Pumas and Liga MX as a whole.