Kendry Páez nearing move to Turkey's Trabzonspor

Kendry Páez is set to leave River Plate after his loan spell and is reportedly close to joining Turkish club Trabzonspor. The Ecuadorian midfielder, whose sporting rights are held by Chelsea, was not included in River Plate's plans following his return from the 2026 World Cup. He trained separately from the main squad and was not called up for matches.

Chelsea, Páez's parent club, also does not plan to integrate him into their first team and is seeking another loan move. According to Argentinian outlet TyC Sports, Trabzonspor has emerged as the primary option for the player. The Turkish club is reportedly working to secure a loan agreement for the Ecuadorian playmaker, with the deal expected to cover the 2026-2027 season.

Trabzonspor, founded in 1967 and based in Trabzon, has a history of success in Turkish football, including seven league titles. The club recently made headlines with significant signings, including Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah, both of whom previously played for Liverpool. Salah, in particular, became a legend at Liverpool, scoring 257 goals and winning numerous titles before his departure.

Páez's time at River Plate was brief, with only 14 appearances across two loan spells under managers Marcelo Gallardo and Eduardo Coudet. He managed one goal and one assist during his tenure. His potential move to Trabzonspor signals a new chapter in his career, aiming to gain more playing time and experience in a competitive European league.