Antonio 'Pollo' Briseño, the Mexican central defender, is set to make his mark with Toluca F.C. as the first signing for the upcoming Clausura 2025 season of Liga MX. The announcement was made on December 19, 2024, marking the end of his over five-year tenure with Chivas Rayadas de Guadalajara, where he played with determination and performed valiantly.
Briseño, 30, debuted with Atlas during the Apertura 2011, maintaining his place until Clausura 2014 before moving on to teams like Tigres UANL (2014-2016), FC Juárez (2016), and Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz (2017). He also had overseas experience with Clube Desportivo Feirense in Portugal from 2017 to 2019. With immense talent and experience, he was integral to the Tigres squad when they won the championship title during Apertura 2015.
The talented defender also played for the national youth team, winning the U-17 World Cup title back in 2011. His most recent stint with Chivas saw him feature in eight matches, totaling 631 minutes across both the regular season and playoff games.
“Pollo” Briseño's arrival at Toluca signals the club's intent to bolster its defense as they prepare for the new season. The club's announcement highlighted Briseño's extensive experience and knowledge of Mexican football, underscoring his potential to be the perfect addition to strengthen their back line. “With significant expertise and skill, ‘Pollo’ Briseño is the ideal reinforcement for enhancing the red defensive line starting next season,” stated the club.
During his time with Chivas, Briseño had mixed fortunes on the pitch. Although not always a first-choice player, he contributed significantly when called upon, particularly during decisive matches. His limited playtime last season—where he participated only 35% of the game time—has been cited as one of the reasons for his departure.
Emotions were palpable as Briseño bid farewell to Chivas through social media, thanking them for their support during his tenure. “To all the Chivas fans: Today I have to say goodbye to this institution I love and will always carry close to my heart. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this great family,” wrote Briseño.
Chivas also issued thanks to Briseño, expressing gratitude for his commitment and contributions to the team over the past five and a half years. “Thank you, @pollobv, for your dedication and passion on the field. We wish you all the best on this new challenge,” they posted.
Toluca greeted Briseño with open arms, officially welcoming him to “Los Diablos Rojos” with the message: “The Chicken is now a Devil.” The arrival of Briseño marks the beginning of changes within Toluca, where their new head coach, Antonio Mohamed, is expected to implement enhancements to the squad for them to regain their competitive edge.
Briseño will join other notable players at Toluca, including former Chivas teammates Alexis Vega and Jesús Angulo, as they prepare for the competitive season. Following Briseño’s transfer, Toluca is poised to make additional moves to strengthen their roster, involving both incoming and outgoing players as they get ready for Clausura 2025.
The upcoming season will kick off for the Diablos Rojos on January 10, 2025, against Xolos de Tijuana at Estadio Caliente, with their campaign culminating on April 19, 2025. The schedule features several key matchups, including tensions likely to arise when Toluca faces Chivas on February 15, 2025, marking Briseño's immediate return to his former team.
The transfer of Antonio 'Pollo' Briseño not only defines the beginning of his new chapter with Toluca but also emphasizes the club's ambitions as they look to reclaim their status among the elite teams of Liga MX. Fans will be watching closely to see how the personable and hardworking defender adapts to his new surroundings and leads the team's defensive tactics.
