Santos Laguna confirms the loan signing of Gastón Martirena from Racing Santos Laguna has officially announced the loan signing of Gastón Martirena from Racing Club of Argentina for one year, with an option to buy. The Uruguayan full-back arrives in Mexico as part of a swap deal that includes the loan of Adonis Frías to the Argentine club. Martirena, 28, was instrumental in Racing's Copa Sudamericana 2024 triumph, scoring crucial goals in the semifinals and final. However, his playing time had diminished in recent months with Racing.

What does this signing mean for Santos Laguna? The Uruguayan joins a Santos Laguna side struggling in Liga MX. The team sits 17th with 0 points from 3 games, on a five-match losing streak (LLLLL). Their most recent defeat was a 3-0 loss to Club América on August 2. Martirena will look to regain his best form alongside Neymar, as Santos fights to avoid relegation while also competing in the Copa Sudamericana.

How was Martirena's time at Racing? The full-back joined Racing in 2023 for $2.6 million and became a key player in their Copa Sudamericana 2024 and Recopa 2025 victories. In total, he made 109 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists.

What's next for Santos Laguna? With Martirena now on board, manager Jorge Almirón aims to strengthen the defense ahead of their next match against Guadalajara Chivas on August 17. The team desperately needs points to climb out of the relegation zone.