The wait is finally over for La Máquina Cementera de Cruz Azul and Jesús "Chiquete" Orozco, who will become players of the sky-blue team for the 2025 Clausura season. Reports confirm everything is set for Orozco’s arrival, with his official report date slated for January 2.
According to Fox Sports, Cruz Azul has agreed to pay the full buyout clause of $11 million demanded by Chivas Guadalajara for their defender, signaling the conclusion of their protracted negotiations. Orozco has reportedly completed his medical examinations successfully at Guadalajara and will officially report to Cruz Azul shortly.
Despite Cruz Azul’s efforts to negotiate the fee down, including discussions about swapping players, Chivas remained firm on their asking price without any concessions. The plan to include Luis Romo as part of the transfer was swiftly turned down by Cruz Azul, which recognized Romo as integral to their defensive lineup. Efforts to propose Erick Lira instead met similar resistance from Chivas, leaving Cruz Azul with no option but to meet the established fee.
Notably, this transfer marks Orozco’s departure from Chivas after nearly three years with the first team, during which he established himself as one of the key defenders and gained recognition at the national level, having been called up to play under Javier Aguirre.
According to Carlos Córdova, the journalist and former press chief for Cruz Azul, Orozco will join the team as they kick off preseason training on January 2. His decision to move to Cruz Azul was driven by his preference for the club over offers from regimental teams, demonstrating his commitment to the side known as La Máquina.
Cruz Azul has been active as they seek to bolster their roster following their playoff exit. Orozco's arrival as their first signing is eagerly anticipated as they plan to acquire additional offensive talent and wings targeting the upcoming tournament.
David Espinosa, collaborator for Fox Sports Mexico, confirms the completion of Orozco’s deal, emphasizing the significant effort made on both sides to finalize this transfer. The club’s willingness to pay the steep buyout fee reflects their desire to reinforce the squad significantly after their disappointing semifinals finish against America.
Cruz Azul’s payment will not only secure Orozco’s contract but also signal the investment the club is willing to make. Given the market, the $11 million deal is noteworthy as it sets precedent for future transactions involving Mexican players within Liga MX.
Cruz Azul now only awaits the player's arrival to finalize the details of his contract and announce him officially as part of the team. Anticipation builds as fans look forward to seeing the new signee among the ranks during preseason training.
This historic transfer also highlights the financial realities and competitive nature of Liga MX, as investments continue to soar with clubs vying for the best talent. Orozco's commitment showcases how significant financial backing can work to attract young, promising players and how clubs strategize to build their future around new signees.
Jesús Orozco, recently sidelined due to complications from chikungunya, is expected to recover fully before joining his new teammates for the pre-season on January 2, 2025.
The move is significant not only for Orozco, who will benefit from increased financial rewards, but also for Chivas, who now seek replacements and strategic acquisitions like Orbelin Pineda or César Montes. They are hopeful to negate the impact of losing one of their standout defenders.
The backdrop of this transfer demonstrates the high stakes present within Mexican football, where clubs like Cruz Azul and Chivas wrestle with strategy, ambition, and the health of their rosters as they prepare for the competitive season. The effective negotiation process leading to this agreement serves as both cautionary and motivational for both clubs moving forward.
With all the pieces finally set, Cruz Azul fans eagerly await the opportunity to see Chiquete Orozco don their colors, as this ambitious move positions both the player and the club for what is set to be an exciting season.
