Alan Varela

Biography

Alan Gonzalo Varela (born 4 July 2001) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a defensive or central midfielder for Primeira Liga club Porto. Club career Boca Juniors Varela joined Boca Juniors in 2012 from Barcelona Luján; a subsidiary of Barcelona, who later became known as Barcelona Juniors following a partnership with Boca. After training with Boca's senior side during 2019, a year that also saw him sign his first professional contract, Varela made the breakthrough into Miguel Ángel Russo's first-team in 2020. He was an unused substitute seven times in all competitions between September and December, including for the first time on 17 September for a Copa Libertadores win over Libertad. Varela's senior debut came on 20 December in a Copa de la Liga Profesional game with Independiente. Porto On 16 August 2023, Primeira Liga club Porto announced the signing of Varela on a five-year contract, for a reported fee of €8 million + €3 million in performance-related add-ons. He made his debut on 3 September, coming off the bench to replace Stephen Eustáquio at half-time in a 1–1 league draw at home against Arouca. Twelve days later, Varela made his first start for the Dragons, away at Estrela da Amadora, where he made a last-minute goal-line clearance to guarantee a 1–0 Porto win. International career In 2019, Varela was selected by Argentina U20 manager Esteban Solari for the COTIF Tournament in Spain.