Jhohan Romaña Departs San Lorenzo for León Amidst Transfer Fee Dispute

Jhohan Romaña’s time at San Lorenzo has come to an end as the Colombian defender officially joins Mexican club León in a deal reportedly worth around $800,000. The transfer has been accompanied by controversy, with Romaña suggesting that his departure could have been different had San Lorenzo’s management considered offers from prominent Argentine clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors.

The club confirmed Romaña’s move, stating that they had attempted to renew his contract, which he ultimately rejected. In a statement, San Lorenzo indicated that the player’s decision was to seek opportunities abroad.

Romaña’s Response

Before departing for Mexico, Romaña spoke to ESPN, revealing that both River Plate and Boca Juniors had shown interest in acquiring his services. “River approached in February, and Boca’s interest was more recent, but the decision always rested with the directors, and they never made one,” Romaña stated. He implied that he would have preferred to move to either of the two major Argentine clubs, who he claims had also offered a higher transfer fee than León.

Despite the circumstances of his exit, Romaña expressed gratitude for his time at San Lorenzo. “I am grateful for everything I experienced here, especially to the fans, who from day one gave me their love, their affection, and above all, their respect. It’s one of the things I will take with me the most,” he said.

He also lamented the manner of his departure, hinting at a disagreement with the club’s leadership. “I deeply regret leaving like this, under these conditions. As I have always said, the truth will come to light,” Romaña remarked, seemingly in response to a club communiqué issued earlier.

San Lorenzo’s Financial Agreement

Romaña’s transfer to León for a relatively modest fee is attributed to his contract situation. With less than six months remaining on his contract, he had reportedly agreed to a pre-contract with León. This prompted San Lorenzo to negotiate an early exit. The club agreed to an immediate transfer for a reported $800,000, while retaining a 10% sell-on clause for any future transfer of the player.

The club also detailed the financial breakdown of the operation, stating that León will cover all associated taxes. San Lorenzo will pay $65,000, and León will pay $69,000 towards outstanding player payments, with San Lorenzo’s portion deducted from the transfer fee. This arrangement ensures Romaña leaves without any outstanding claims against the club.

Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro extended its thanks to Jhohan Romaña for his professionalism and commitment during his tenure and wished him success in his new career phase.

Key facts

Romaña’s departure is a significant event for San Lorenzo, a club often navigating complex transfer market dynamics. The defender had become a key player since his arrival in early 2024 from Austin FC for $750,000, making 104 appearances and contributing two goals and two assists. His claims of ignored offers from major rivals add another layer to this transfer saga, highlighting potential internal club politics and player dissatisfaction. For fans of Argentine football and Liga MX, this move signals a shift in personnel and raises questions about player-club relationships and transfer negotiations in South American football.

Source: Romaña, antes de partir a México: del “hubo ofertas de River y Boca” al “la verdad saldrá a la luz” – Ole, https://www.ole.com.ar/san-lorenzo/romanana-ofertas-river-boca-verdad-saldra-luz-comunicado-sanlorenzo_0_IaCYN8Wm1X.html