Guardiola delighted to welcome Echeverri to Man City

The midfielder was signed last January, but was kept at River for an additional year to further hone his skills and continue his development.

Former City defender Martin Demichelis had been River Plate’s manager until July 2024, which means he has good knowledge of the player.

He said, per The Mirror: "Claudio is truly one of the great emerging talents in River's football. We have a great squad that always produces technically gifted players. However, the day-to-day whirlwind at River demands not only winning but being a protagonist in a very special way, trying to play well.

"I believe that when you leave River well-formed, you are prepared for anything. Claudio is still in the stage of evolution. He has made a very, very significant leap in recent months. Technically, he is a marvel. We enjoy watching him play, even at such a young age. He caught everyone's attention. We'll enjoy him for a while longer and then leave him to you."