The saga of Teo Gutiérrez’s transfer away from River Plate was concluded yesterday as the Colombian striker signed a three-year deal with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon. After weeks of speculation it was the Leões that made the deal and after agreeing with River the €3.5 million fee earlier in the week, it took a further four days to negotiate with Teo and confirm the transfer.

The 30-year-old striker’s only previous attempt at cracking Europe came in 2010 when he moved to Turkish side Trabzonspor but after quickly returning to South America with Racing, Gutiérrez has never had another chance. As a regular Colombian international few can doubt his talents as a footballer but his numerous off-field misdemeanors have obviously hindered his progress. His unscheduled return to Colombia in the middle of the season while with Trabzonspor ended his spell in Turkey, threatening his teammates with a gun saw him cast out of Racing and although there has been no such drama with his exit from River it is still disappointing given how successful this most recent chapter of his career has been.

The move to Portugal finally gives Gutiérrez the opportunity to impress for one of Europe’s big clubs and the chance to play in the Champions League. After signing with Sporting yesterday, the Colombian said: “I return to Europe, as a more mature and more experienced international player, so I hope things turn out much better than the first time. I want to enjoy an important tournament like the Champions League.”

Whether he is more mature, remains to be seen. History suggests Teo will not see out this three-year deal which optimisitically has the option of an extra year and even more optimisitically has a release clause of €40 million. However, with the contracts signed Gutiérrez now travels to South Africa to link up with his new teammates for preseason.

For River Plate, it is a relief that this episode is over and the club can move forward. From the €3.5 million transfer fee, River will receive around €1.7 million due to the percentages of ownership but more importantly with the Colombian off the squad list there is now room for Marcelo Gallardo to incorporate new Uruguayan signing Tabaré Viudez into the squad. Viudez will immediately travel with the squad to Paraguay ahead of this week’s Copa Libertadores semi-final.