Professional League: Independiente Rivadavia announced its reinforcements for the 2025 Clausura and is dreaming big.

Independiente Rivadavia had a special day this Friday at the Bautista Gargantini Stadium, where the club from the Parque officially introduced its new signings ahead of the 2025 Clausura Tournament of the Professional League . With a strong commitment to strengthening all lines, La Lepra is excited about consolidating its position in the top flight in the second half of the season and is aiming for an ambitious campaign.

The press conference was led by club president Daniel Vila, who was accompanied by head coach Alfredo Berti and team captain Sebastián Villa. Amid a climate of excitement and anticipation, the new signings were officially presented: Ezequiel Bonifacio, Leonel Bucca, Tomás Muro , Colombian Santiago Muñoz Gómez , and the most celebrated return: Alex Arce, top scorer of the club's historic promotion in 2023.

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Gentleness.

Without a doubt, the big attraction of the presentation was the scorer, who returned to the park after spending a year in the Quito League of Ecuador , where he once again became a star, just like with the Azules.

Daniel Vila welcomed the reinforcements, particularly the Paraguayan striker . "The truth is that we are very happy with the great season the team has had under the direction of Alfredo (Berti) and the great work these players have done. And with these reinforcements added to Alex's, we hope to have a great semester," said the Azul director.

The director also clarified that Independiente will host the match at the Bautista Gargantini stadium and not the Malvinas Argentinas stadium as previously announced: "As an institution, we had promised to begin some construction work, but given the circumstances and the additions we have made, they will take a different direction. They will be carried out, but not at the speed we had originally planned. That's why we will play the tournament at our stadium. We had thought about playing it at the Malvinas stadium, but since the construction work will not begin as we had planned in August, but rather later, we will play at our stadium," clarified Daniel Vila.

Paraguayan striker Alex Arce, who returns to the club after his time at Liga de Quito, was happy and grateful : "I want to thank Professor Berti, who was the one who called me, and Daniel Vila, who made a great effort with the club for me to come back. I always said yes. I'm happy to be back home, where I had wonderful moments. I hope to continue growing as a player in this institution that has evolved a lot. The professor knows me and knows what I can give," declared Arce, to a standing ovation from those present.

Captain Sebastián Villa also spoke, sending a message of unity and commitment : "We want to welcome our new teammates. Arce is a very important player, like everyone else who joined. This is a humble, hard-working group. We have managers who listen to us, a coaching staff with a lot of empathy, and we're all eager to have a great semester. I had the opportunity to leave this semester, but the relationship with Daniel Vila , which is almost like father and son, made me stay. We want Independiente to be at the top."

For his part, coach Alfredo Berti praised the club's current situation and the team's spirit: "It's a day of celebration. These kids are here to make history. We want everyone to feel comfortable, to promote the common good over individual good. When that's understood, everything flows. This club has grown a lot in recent times. It had few members, and today there are truly many who support us. The players are deeply affected by this affection. And Alex is an example: he left, he triumphed, and he's coming back better. Alex, I wish you the best and I'm happy you're with us. I know you'll adapt quickly. You're a simple footballer with a lot of humility and hierarchy, and I hope that, in the upcoming tournament, we'll be fighting for important things. Welcome everyone," said the coach.

La Lepra is armed with balance, experience, and South American talent. These are its new members.

Alex Arce (Forward – 30 years old – Paraguay)

He returns after a brilliant spell at Liga de Quito: 42 goals in 65 matches.

Total in 2024: 35 goals in 46 matches. In 2025: 7 goals in 19 matches.

Titles: Serie A 2024 and Super Cup 2025.

Career total: 113 goals in 197 matches.

Ezequiel Bonifacio (Right back – 31 years old – Mar del Plata)

Dynamic, with an offensive vocation and great deployment.

He played for Gimnasia LP, Unión, Huracán, Banfield and Podbeskidzie in Poland.

Leonel Bucca (Attacking midfielder – 26 years old – Santa Fe)

Skilled and with good vision of the game.

Former Union, San Martin de Tucuman, Riestra and Esmeralda Amadora (Portugal).

Santiago Muñoz Gómez (Left winger – 26 years old – Colombia)

Fast, dribbling and unbalancing.

Former Envigado, Once Caldas, Atlético Huila, among others.

Tomás Muro (Midfielder – 23 years old – Buenos Aires)

He defines himself as an "old neighborhood hook."

He made his debut with Gimnasia LP, moved to Orenburg in Russia, and donated money to the youth teams of his home club as a gesture of gratitude.