Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed their second signing of the day, bringing in Santiago Bueno from Girona, subject to international clearance and work permit.
The 24-year-old centre-back signs a five-year deal with Wolves, and will wear the No 4 shirt. He joins after Paraguayan winger Enso Gonzalez was announced earlier in the day to take Wolves' senior signings to three for the summer 2023 transfer window.
Santiago signs ✍️ pic.twitter.com/BGjEd378AW
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 31, 2023
“Santiago’s personality is one we look for in a player, driven, hungry, hardworking and humble, but with a bit of an edge and can play. He’s a perfect fit for what we’ve been looking for,” Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs told the club's official website.
“He’s six foot four inches and aggressive, as you’d expect from a Uruguayan centre-back, but he can play too and gives us a good balance. I’ve spoken previously about units and with the back four, he’s the perfect complement for that.”
Bueno began his career in Penarol’s academy at the age of 10.
In January 2017, the he joined Barcelona, before being sent out on loan to third division side Peralda.
After two seasons with Peralda he signed for Girona, then in the second division, as a free agent. At Girona, he was integral to their promotion to LaLiga in 2022.
Last season, Bueno again impressed, playing in 34 of 38 LaLiga matches as Girona finished 10th.
Gonzalez, 18, has joined from Paraguayan club Libertad, where Brighton & Hove Albion’s Julio Enciso first played, and his signing is subject to international clearance and a work permit.
“This is a transfer we’ve worked on for a while and we’re delighted to have Enso joining us,” Hobbs said.
Welcome to the pack, Enso ✍️ pic.twitter.com/0O51qqco85
— Wolves (@Wolves) August 31, 2023
“He’s an exciting, young player, who will fit in well with our dressing room and within the DNA we’re trying to create. We wanted a front player who could play across the line and give us something different, and Enso is the name our recruitment team pushed.
“His creativity stood out, playing forward, being aggressive in possession and doing his work out of possession, but for me it was more what he does offensively.
TV Info
"Most players do the other side of the work if you’re getting the right sort of people, but with Enso I’m excited to see what he gives us going forward.”
In 23 Primera Division matches this season, the left-footed Gonzalez’s three goals and two assists helped Libertad claim the Apertura trophy, as champions of the opening half of the campaign. He has also featured in the Copa Libertadores.
Wolves are next in Premier League action on Sunday when they travel to Crystal Palace.
