As he started a new chapter in his football career, Nicolas Valentini's New Year's festivities were cut short. Early on January 1st, 2025, the 23-year-old Argentine defender showed up at Viola Park to start his Fiorentina odyssey. Valentini will remain with the team until June 2029 after agreeing to a four-and-a-half-year deal.
The teenage centre-back, who plays for Argentina's Under-23 squad, was a free agent at the end of 2024 when his Boca Juniors contract ended, according to Calciomercato. His exile from the first squad resulted from the breakdown of negotiations for a renewal with the Argentine club in April. Fiorentina tried to sign Valentini earlier in the summer, but he has been staying in shape on his own for the past eight months. However, Boca Juniors and the Italian team were unable to agree on compensation. In the centre of Fiorentina's defence, Valentini now shows up as a free agent, prepared to challenge captain Luca Ranieri.