Guido Rodríguez may have been a surprise inclusion in Jorge Sampaoli’s Argentina squad but followers of Liga MX will be all too familiar with the 23-year-old’s talent and aware that Club América have completed a significant coup in completing a deal with Tijuana.

After a disappointing Clausura in which the Mexican giants failed to reach the playoffs, Las Águilas have moved swiftly to sign the midfielder amid strong interest from Europe for a fee rumoured to be around $7 million.

While América failed, Rodríguez was undoubtedly one of the league’s best players as Tijuana reached the semi-finals but his tremendous performances alerted not only Mexico’s most successful club but also the likes of Lazio and Eibar.

Nuestro primer refuerzo del Apertura 2017:

Guido Rodríguez de @xolos #GuidoEsÁguila ¡Bienvenido! pic.twitter.com/TmU2PNb9ys

— Club América (@ClubAmerica) June 7, 2017

Miguel Herrera, who worked with Rodríguez in Tijuana, has now returned to the Azteca and made reuniting with the young Argentine his number one priority.

While opportunities with boyhood club River Plate were slim, Rodríguez prospered on loan with Defensa y Justicia and earned his move to Xolos in 2016, where his development has only continued.

A well-rounded defensive midfielder, Rodríguez has been an important component to Xolos in defence and attack. Strong in the tackle and progressive with the ball, the 23-year-old has had an impact at both ends of the field with his energetic and intelligent displays.

Club América are intent on bouncing back from a dreadful Clausura made worse by rivals Chivas lifting the title and the signing of Guido Rodríguez is a fine start.