Juve makes Tevez’s transfer to Boca Juniors official – and gets 4 players in return

TURIN, Italy – Juventus made Carlos Tevez’s transfer to his hometown club Boca Juniors official on Monday, and announced it is getting options on four players in return.

Juventus sold Tevez for 6.5 million euros ($7.2 million) — although the European runner-up won’t see that money.

That’s because Juventus is paying Boca 3.5 million euros ($3.9 million) to acquire forward Guido Vadala on a two-year loan, plus 1 million euros ($1.1 million) each for the rights to midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur Colman, Franco Sebastian Cristaldo and Adrian Andres Cubas.

Juventus can purchase Vadala’s full rights for 9.4 million euros ($10.5 million) by April 2017.

The 31-year-old Tevez was introduced to thousands of fans at Boca’s La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires and said it was “the happiest day” of his life. Among those in attendance was Argentina great Diego Maradona.

“Boca is unique, nobody can understand the feeling that one can have for Boca,” said Tevez, who kissed the grass at the famed stadium.

He was a fan favourite when he played for Boca from 2001-2004 and has repeatedly said he wants to end his career with the Buenos Aires club.

Tevez left Boca to play for Brazil’s Corinthians, then West Ham, Manchester United and Manchester City in England, before joining Italian champion Juventus two years ago on a three-year contract.

While scoring 50 goals for Juventus over the past two seasons, Tevez often celebrated by displaying undershirts bearing the names of different Buenos Aires neighbourhoods.

The deals for Colman, Cristaldo and Cubas foresee these players joining Juventus starting with the 2017-18 season. Juventus can then purchase their full rights for three separate agreed fees.