Facundo Buonanotte is one of the jewels of Carlos Tevez’s Rosario Central and, like every star who appears in Argentinian football, he was very quickly scouted and wanted by European clubs.
In this case, it will be Brighton and Hove Albion of the Premier League who will sign Buonanotte in the next transfer window. He will become the first signing in the era of manager Roberto De Zerbi.
We have reached an agreement with Club Atlético Rosario Central to sign attacking midfielder Facundo Buonanotte in the next transfer window. 🇦🇷
🤝 @FirstTouchGames // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) November 2, 2022
“Facundo is a player we have been aware of for some time, and we have been watching for a while,” said Brighton technical director David Weir.
“We are delighted we have now reached an agreement with Rosario, and we look forward to welcoming Facundo to Brighton in January next year.”
MORE: Premier League top goal scorers 2022-2023: Updated golden boot rankings
How much did Brighton pay for Facundo Buonanotte?
According to journalist German Garcia Grova, the initial fee is $6 million (£5.3 million), with the possibility of a further $6m/£5.3m in bonuses, which will depend on objectives being met.
A 20 per cent sell-on clause for future transfers was also included.
📹⚽ ¡Así fue el gol de Buonanotte!
Toque sutil de Facu ante la salida del arquero y explosión en el Gigante tras el ingreso de la pelota#VamosCanalla 💪🏼🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/2e8ZB2JG6Y
— Rosario Central (@RosarioCentral) September 25, 2022
Who is Facundo Buonanotte?
The only child of Mauricio Buonanotte and Pamela Perez, Facundo Buonanotte was born on December 23, 2004 in Perez, a municipality within the Rosario Department in the province of Santa Fe, which is part of Greater Rosario, just 12 kilometres from the heart of the third-most populous city in Argentina. “My parents are my idols,” he declares with every chance he gets.
He was part of Rosario Central’s youth academy until the end of 2021. Earlier this year, during the summer, former Argentina star Kily Gonzalez — head coach of Rosario at the time — called him up to train with the senior side.
Alejandro Fernandez was the last coach to take charge of him in the youth setup and he joked about that in an interview in mid-August with newspaper La Capital. “Forget it — he’s not coming back to Baigorria [Rosario’s training complex] any more. He’ll be in Europe, for sure. But, for us, it’s a great emotion to see Facu playing in this way.”
He has already played eight matches in the auriazul jersey in the Copa de la Liga 2022, two matches in the Copa Argentina, and 13 in the current league campaign, in which he scored his only goal so far in the 1-0 victory over Sarmiento de Junin on July 8.
He’s also been called up several times for the Argentina Under-20 side, coached by Javier Mascherano. “Javier is cool; he tells me to play calmly,” Facu said.
¡LO GRITÓ CON EL CORAZÓN! Buonanotte, juagador e hincha fanático de Rosario Central de 17 años, le dio la primera victoria a Carlos Tevez como DT del Canalla ante Sarmiento por la #LigaProfesional. ⚽👏 pic.twitter.com/bGKOFIIAJH
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) July 9, 2022
How does Facundo Buonanotte play?
“I watch football and it’s been a long time since I saw someone who gives me as much pleasure as Buonanotte,” said Carlos Tevez, head coach of Rosario Central.
“When he slows down and then accelerates, he reminds me of Messi. He is at a very high level.”
“I listened to Tevez and I think he went a bit far when he compared him to the best of all time, but without a doubt, that is one of Facu’s strengths. He is talented up top: in the head, not just in the feet,” Alejandro Fernandez told La Capital.
Left-footed, hugely talented, Buonanotte is one of those players who likes to have the ball. He’s a natural attacking midfielder, but he has the ability to play on the wings. Some dazzling dribbling against Boca Juniors defenders at La Bombonera may have served as a good introduction to those who don’t usually watch him.
