Time to reclaim the scoring throne! Mexican forward Santiago Giménez was announced Monday as FC Porto’s newest signing. “Bebote” joins the Dragons on a one-year loan from AC Milan, with his sights set on regaining his top form and getting the playing time he lacked in Italy.
The loan that brings Giménez to the Primeira Liga includes a buyout clause set at 18 million euros, plus an additional two million in performance-based bonuses.
Another Dragon to the roster
At 25 years old and with 92 goals and 25 assists to his name, Santi joins his fourth professional club (following stints with Cruz Azul, Feyenoord, and Milan). By donning the blue and white, Giménez joins the distinguished legacy of Mexican players who have shone at the Estadio do Dragão, following in the footsteps of Miguel Layún, Héctor Herrera, and Jesús “Tecatito” Corona.
Leaving the bitter aftertaste of Italy behind
Giménez’s stint at AC Milan—where he arrived in February 2025 after making a name for himself at Feyenoord—did not go as expected. The Mexican played in 37 matches, scoring seven goals and recording six assists. His performance was abruptly cut short by a severe ankle injury that required surgery, keeping him off the field from November 2025 through March 2026. Fortunately, he recovered in time to play in the 2026 World Cup with the Mexican national team.
A thirst for the spotlight
For Santi, joining Porto isn’t a step back, but rather the perfect platform to relaunch his career, connect with passionate fans, and add more trophies to his collection.
“It was a very important decision because I want to keep writing my own story and feel like I matter. Throughout my career, I’ve always played for great teams, and FC Porto is another one of them. This is a chapter that will contribute a lot to my career. I really want to build great chemistry with the team and the fans so I can keep growing and winning more titles,” said the Mexican forward.
