Javier Hernandez to Bayer Leverkusen

The Mexican poster boy has found a new home. On the final day of the transfer window the man-child nicknamed Chicharito, or Little Pea in Spanish, has moved to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. The 27 year old Tapatio native joins the German side on a three year deal.

Hernandez joined Manchester United in 2010 from boyhood club Chivas de Guadalajara. He bloomed on to the scene for United in his first campaign, scoring 20 goals and helping lead the United attack to an EPL title and a UEFA Champions League Final appearance.

After his first season for the Red Devils, Hernandez’s chances grew slimmer with the arrival of players like Robin Van Persie among others. He only managed to bag another 39 goals in all competitions over those three years.

Last season, Hernandez spent the year with Spanish giants Real Madrid on loan. After spending the majority of the season on the bench Hernandez came to life a bit on the last half of the season, including the game winner in the Champions League second leg quarterfinals against city rivals Atletico Madrid

Hernandez now becomes the second Mexican to join the Bundesliga side after Andres Guardado spent second half of the 2013-14 season on loan with Leverkusen. The move is exactly what Hernandez needs. At 27, Hernandez needs week in and week out action, something he has struggled for in the last few years. He also gets the chance to still play Champions League with Leverkusen and gets to take some pressure off of himself from the bright lights of Old Trafford and El Santiago Bernabeu.

Hector Moreno to PSV

Moreno returns to the Eredivisie after spending the last four years with La Liga outfit Espanyol. Moreno joins the defending Dutch champions PSV and joins fellow Mexican and El Tri captain Andres Guardado. 

Before his time in Spain, Moreno spent three years with AZ Alkmaar where he captured the Eredivisie in his first year.

The move to PSV comes off more as a lateral movement instead of a move up or down for the Culiacan native when it comes to his career. He moves from a midlevel Spanish side to a less league in overall quality, but joins on a stronger side. Rumors of Moreno making a bigger move have been hampered by injuries over the last two summers.

This move though, offers Moreno the chance to challenge for trophies and play Champions League. As for PSV, this is the fourth Mexican to suit up for the Lemkes. Joining the likes of Carlos Salcido, Francesco “El Maza” Rodriguez, and Andres Guardado.

Raul Jimenez to Benfica

To say the first year for Raul Jimenez in Spain was rough would be an understatement. Jimenez was only able to score one time in twenty seven appearances for Atletico Madrid. Over the summer he made the permanent move to the defending champions of Portugal, Benfica.

In one week he has already matched his goal output for The Eagles that he did all last year for Atletico by scoring the opener for Benfica over the weekend. Jimenez should have plenty of chances to shine this year for his club, the tall yet surprisingly agile Tepeji native will help lead the attack for Benfica as the team looks to defend their league championship along with competing in the Champions League.

Jimenez becomes the second Mexican to join Benfica. The first since Francisco “El Kikin” Fonseca, who only lasted half a season for Benfica after making eight appearances and scoring one league goal.

Diego Reyes to Real Sociedad (loan)

Over the last two years, Reyes struggled mightily to even crack the bench at times with Portugal giants Porto. At 22 years old, there is still plenty of time for him to turn his time in Europe around. Lacking any real playing time over the last two seasons couldn’t do anything but hamper his development.

This year though, Reyes will get the chance to prove himself on his yearlong loan to Spanish side Real Sociedad.

Reyes joins fellow Mexican Carlos Vela and experienced coach David Moyes. Reyes already debuted for La Real last weekend and played the full 90 while helping the team to a clear sheet.

Jesus Corona to Porto

On the final day of the transfer window Corona made a move to Portugal giants Porto. Signing a four year contract with a 50 Million euro buy-out clause. The move from Dutch side Twente to Porto is a great one for the 22 year old Sonora native.

After spending two years in Holland where he made 46 appearances Corona had a breakout year last year. Making 31 appearances and scoring 11 goals from the midfield position.

This summer, Corona played in both the Copa America and Gold Cup for Mexico. In the Copa America, Corona was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise poor Mexican side, as he was the main creative attacking outlet for the makeshift squad. In the Gold Cup, after some great performances as a creative spark off the bench, Corona started the finals and capped off a great Mexican performance against Jamaica with a goal. Corona picked up best youth player in the tournament to go along with his busy summer.

Corona will join fellow Mexican Hector Herrera in the midfield as an attacking winger as the Dragons look to make another deep run into the Champions League where they reached the quarterfinals last year.

Miguel Layun to Porto (loan)

Miguel Layun’s return to Europe has been interesting to say the least. In late December of 2014, it was announced that Layun had agreed to sign with Spanish side Granada. He would never suit up with Granada as he was sent out to English Championship side Watford for the remaining of the 2014-15 season.

Layun helped Watford gain promotion to the EPL and scored his first goal for the club in the first week of the season against Everton. On the final day of the transfer window, Porto made the move to bring in yet another Mexican. The move with Layun in a season long loan with a 6 million euro option to buy at the end of the season. So Layun will join his third team in a little over six months in Europe.

He now goes from battling relegation with Watford to a team battling for the Portuguese title and the Champions League. Layun is now the fourth Mexican currently at Porto (19 year old Raul Gudion is on the Porto B team as a goalkeeper).

Layun’s ability to play both midfielder and either a left or right back means he will have plenty of chances to contribute to Porto. 

Overall the majority of the changes look to be positive ones that give the majority of these Mexican players to get games week in and week out and compete at a high level.

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About the author
Ivan Sanchez-Carrasco
Based out of Portland, Oregon, A first generation Mexican-American who writes about the Mexican National team, as well as opinion pieces on other soccer topics. Also check out my other writing as well. http://futbolpulse.com/author/ivan-sanchez/