Bundesliga
Lucas Alario completes Eintracht Frankfurt switch
Lucas Alario has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a three-year deal valid until 30 June 2025 following five seasons at Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen.
The 29-year-old Argentine striker, who moved to Germany from River Plate in August 2017, scored 58 goals in 164 competitive appearances for Leverkusen, including seven in 33 games last season.
“Lucas has a lot deal of experience and has shown himself as a true team player in Leverkusen,” said Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche. “In the last few years he’s consistently shown his ability in front of goal, and he is already well-versed with the Bundesliga. With Lucas, we’re well equipped for the challenges ahead.”
Despite fierce competition in the central striker's role first from Kevin Volland and more recently Patrik Schick, Alario averaged 8.4 Bundesliga goals per season at Leverkusen. He struck 11 times in 2020/21, falling only one goal short of matching his career-best return in his final year at River Plate.
The nine-time Argentina international also scored seven DFB Cup and nine UEFA Europa League goals, whilst producing four goals in nine appearances against new employers, and Europa League holders, Frankfurt.
Watch: Lucas Alario started 2020/21 with seven goals in as many games
Alario will provide competition in the Frankfurt attack for Rafael Santos Borre - the club's 12-goal top scorer in 2021/22. The former CA Colon, River and Leverkusen forward could make his competitive debut in Eintracht's DFB Cup first-round tie with Magdeburg on 1 August.
Frankfurt, who finished 11th in last season's Bundesliga, kick-off the new league season at home to reigning champions Bayern Munich, before taking on UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup.