Diego Lainez to join Tigres UANL for 2023 Liga MX Clausura

Diego Lainez is set to become the newest reinforcement for Tigres UANL. 

He arrived in Monterrey on Sunday, confirming the transfer while sporting team gear. He joins the Tigres on loan for the 2023 Liga MX Clausura, while the team maintain the option to buy the player from Real Betis at the end of the tournament. 

"I am very happy, very happy, excited about this project. I am very committed to the team, happy and hopefully soon I will be working on what I want the most," he said when arriving at the Monterrey International Airport.

"I think it is an opportunity, a very nice and important challenge for me and I am going to face it in the best way as I have always done in my career. Tigres is an interesting project, they have always shown interest from [team president] Mauricio Culebro, who I have known for a long time and have always been there, and has shown interest since I left for Europe and I am very happy to be back.”

Lainez returns to Liga MX after an unsuccessful stint in Europe. He managed 55 appearances with Real Betis in four seasons, serving mostly as a substitute player before joining Sporting Braga on loan in 2022. The winger saw a promising start with the Portuguese club, recording one goal and two assists in 12 games. But the team ended the loan spell early, sending him back to Real Betis. 

Now, Lainez is ready to take on the challenges of Liga MX once again.

He’s no stranger to the league, kicking off with Club America in 2017. The player stood as a promising young figure while with the Eagles, recording five goals in 51 appearances to make himself known. His goals in both legs of the 2018 Apertura semifinal series against Pumas UNAM set the record for youngest player to score in a playoff match for Club America. 

But despite prior Liga MX triumphs, Lainez will have to earn his spot in Tigres’ competitive roster. The team currently boasts several attacking options, inspiring eight goals in just four games of the 2023 Clausura. 

Tigres currently sits in second place on the table, with eight points and a record of 2W-0L-2D. They return to action on February 4, against Cruz Azul at the Estadio Azteca.