Paraguay beginnings and years on loan: Who is next Sunderland signing Omar Alderete?
Sunderland are close to completing the signing of defender Omar Alderete from Getafe.
A deal reportedly worth £10million has been agreed with the La Liga side, with the Paraguayan now due to undergo a medical ahead of a move to the North East.
Alderete is set to become the Black Cats’ 11th signing this summer, in what has been a remarkable transfer window for the Premier League promotees.
But who is the next new man at The Stadium of Light?
Alderete has taken an interesting path to the Premier League
Alderete’s career started in his home nation of Paraguay, with Asuncion-based team Cerro Porteno.
He would make his professional debut for the club in 2016, before a loan saw him spend a season in the first division of Argentina with Gimnasia.
- Full name: Omar Federico Alderete Fernandez
- Date of birth: 26 December 1996
- Place of birth: Asuncion, Paraguay
Following the loan, Alderete was sold to Huracan, before later making the switch to Europe with Swiss side FC Basel.
But after just one year in the first division of Switzerland, the defender would be on the move again – moving to the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.
There, Alderete would struggle to find his feet, eventually being loaned out to La Liga side Valencia and first showing signs of being the player Sunderland have spent decent money to sign.
A year on loan at Getafe would convince the club to sign him permanently, and the defender has been a staple in the backline ever since, enjoying his best season in the last campaign.
Alderete is also a regular for the Paraguay national team, making 17 appearances over the last couple of years.
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Alderete excels on the ball
Alderete will add defensive mettle at the back for Sunderland, the defender recording high numbers of clearances every game and rarely making mistakes.
And on the ball, the 28-year-old is in his element. The Paraguay national likes to take on his opposing attacker and is never afraid to join in with the attack.
Long-passing is an extreme speciality of Alderete, with the centre-back’s favoured pass being the long the switch to the right-winger.
| Omar Alderete | La Liga 2024/25 (per 90) |
| Take-ons attempted | 0.85 |
| Clearances | 7.30 |
| Shots | 1.15 |
| Passes attempted (long) | 11.09 |
| Aerials won | 3.06 |
He attempts it several times every game and is often successful, with Chemsdine Talbi set to be among the attackers to benefit.
And in the air, Alderete is dominant, winning the majority of his headed duels.
The defender will add quality and experience to Regis Le Bris’ options, and is unlikely to pass up the opportunity, having enjoyed a long journey to the Premier League.
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