Assadi deal is on
Universidad de Chile have confirmed they accepted AIK's bid for Lucas Assadi. The Chilean club stated on Friday they received an offer that meets the conditions to sign the 22-year-old (1). This is expected to be AIK's most expensive signing ever (7).
What it costs
Reports put the fee at roughly 19–22 million kronor including bonuses (2) (7). That would break a club record that has stood for 27 years (6).
Assadi on the move
"I am fulfilling a dream," Assadi said. He has said goodbye to Universidad de Chile and will sign with AIK shortly (3) (4). There is a plan to return to La U one day, but first he wants a successful career abroad (3).
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His brother's goodbye
Matías Assadi, his brother and a Chilean referee, posted an emotional farewell on social media. "I know you will get where we talked so many times you would get. I know you will fulfil each of those dreams that once seemed so far away," he wrote (11).
Not everyone is sold
Former U de Chile player Rafa Olarra questioned the signing. "He had six good months in four seasons, and sustaining that in a team is complex," Olarra said (12).
He misses the Superclásico
Assadi will not play for Universidad de Chile against Colo Colo on Sunday because of the move to AIK. He pushed back on the criticism around missing it: "No, that's false. I think all players want to play those kinds of matches. Playing was the first thing I told my agent" (9).
AIK also eyeing Laturnus
AIK and IK Sirius are both reportedly chasing Örgryte midfielder Benjamin Laturnus. Örgryte sporting director Pontus Farnerud confirmed the club is in negotiations, and Laturnus himself said he wants to leave Sweden (5) (8).
P19 derby lost
AIK's P19 side lost the derby to Hammarby after a three-minute spell turned the match (10).
