Libertad to sign first foreign player as club seeks turnaround

Libertad is poised to make its first signing of the season with the acquisition of Enzo Agustín Manzur, a 25-year-old Argentinian central midfielder currently playing for Guaraní and the Palestinian national team. This move comes as the club seeks to rebound from a disappointing first half of the football year.

Nelson Haedo Valdez has been appointed as the new head coach, replacing Francisco "Chiqui" Arce. The team has struggled significantly, experiencing six consecutive losses in the Copa Libertadores and failing to improve under interim coaches Juan Eduardo Samudio, Sergio Aquino, and Cristian Riveros. This led to the decision for a major change in leadership.

Manzur, who arrived in Paraguay in 2024, has played 106 matches and scored six goals for Guaraní. Although his playing time has been less prominent this season, he is known for his strong defensive recovery, technical skill, accurate passing, and ability to shoot from mid-range. His arrival is expected to bring a significant change to Libertad's squad as they prepare for the Clausura 2026 tournament, which begins on July 24 with a challenging away match against Olimpia.