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Franco Armani Rescinds River Plate Contract to Rejoin Atlético Nacional

The 39-year-old goalkeeper ended an eight-and-a-half-year River spell to return to Medellín so he can keep playing at the end of his career.

Overview

  • Armani announced his departure in an emotional farewell press conference at the Monumental on Monday, July 13, 2026.
  • He formally rescinded the contract that ran to year-end and will join Atlético Nacional in the coming days, with the Colombian club's preseason schedule requiring his immediate arrival and preventing a farewell match.
  • Across eight and a half seasons at River Plate he played 366 official matches, won 10 titles and set a club record of 965 minutes without conceding a goal, with outlets reporting roughly 164 clean sheets.
  • Reports and Armani's statements say his desire to keep competing and the rise of Santiago Beltrán as River's likely starting goalkeeper accelerated the decision to leave.
  • River leaders and club legends attended the farewell and presented a commemorative plaque, and River must now move forward with Beltrán while Atlético Nacional prepares to integrate Armani into its preseason.