Uriel Antuna set for Cruz Azul Exit
By Sam Plummer
In a matter of days since up-and-coming star Rodrigo Huescas left his boyhood club for Danish outfit FC Copenhagen, fellow star Uriel Antuna is also set for the departure door for a move to Europe.
RÉCORD confirmed yesterday that the Mexican international is poised for a move to the Greek capital, ready to put pen to paper to join AEK Athens. If things do not change, he will join Mexican teammate Orbellín Pineda.
The article suggests that the two clubs have agreed a $5 million deal, with Antuna's former club Chivas receiving a payout for the deal.
The 26-year-old will be returning to Europe where he previously played for the Manchester City youth team and a brief spell in the Netherlands with FC Groningen. Antuna spent the last five years in his native Mexico, initially joining Chivas for $9 million before moving to the capital with Cruz Azul in 2021.
Being able to play on either wing, but also in the number 10 position, Antuna scored 13 goals in 36 games during the 2023/24 campaign, providing 6 assists in that time.
His form last season warranted a call-up to Mexico's Copa América squad, where he failed to make a major impact as his country bowed out of the competition at the group stage phase. In total, the Cruz Azul winger has played 64 games for El Trí, scoring 14 goals.
His new team, AEK Athens, finished 2nd in the Greek Superliga table, two points behind eventual league winners PAOK Thessaloniki in a hotly contested title race. Their league finish means that they will feature in the UEFA Europa League for the 2024/25 campaign.