It’s been a long road but at 31 years of age Agustín Marchesín has finally made the leap to Europe with Portuguese giants Porto prying the Argentine goalkeeper away from Club América as a replacement for Iker Casillas, who suffered a heart attack in May.

Although the transfer fee remains undisclosed it is understood to be in the region of $10 million and Marchesín has signed a four-year contract with the Dragões.

“I am very happy to have this opportunity,” Marchesín told Porto’s official website.

“It’s a beautiful moment in my career. I want to make the absolute most of this opportunity, and I know what this club means. I come to FC Porto with a lot of ambition.”

Marchesín arrived to the Estadio Azteca ahead of the 2017 season and has become a firm favourite with the América supporters helping the club to three trophies during that time.

Your saves lead us to our 13th title.
Thank you @amarchesin1, we wish you the best with @FCPorto!#FlyWithUs 🦅 pic.twitter.com/gdtaioZHE9

— Club América EN (@ClubAmerica_EN) July 31, 2019

“Club America has reached an agreement for the definitive sale of the Argentine goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin to one of the most important teams in Portugal and Europe: FC Porto,” a club statement read.

“Since his arrival at the club in December 2016, he played 130 official matches in the Azulcrema goal, where he proved himself to be one of the best goalkeepers in Liga MX.”

Marchesín was part of the Argentina squad at the Copa América but has made only four appearances for La Albiceleste since his debut against Venezuela in 2011.

At that time, Marche was one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the country and had established himself as Lanús number one going on to help the club lift the Copa Sudamericana in 2013. A move to Europe arguably beckoned at that point but it was instead Mexican club Santos Laguna that swooped.

Two years in Torreón produced a Clausura title and a Campeón de Campeones winners medal before Club América moved for Marchesín where the goalkeeper has continued to collect honours.

The move to the Estádio do Dragão will certainly draw more attention to Marchesín and could yet see the 31-year-old make a claim for the Argentina number one jersey.

Interestingly two goalkeepers currently ahead of Marchesín in the pecking order for Argentina are Franco Armani and Esteban Andrada and both players are listed as possible options for América as they seek a replacement.

River Plate and Boca Juniors will not be open to selling either goalkeeper and even less so with both clubs still involved in the Copa Libertadores as it reaches the quarter-final stage. However, they are not the only players reported to be targets for América with Independiente’s Uruguayan captain Martín Campaña and Real Sociedad’s Gerónimo Rulli all linked.