An unlikely team emerged as the most active early in the Liga MX draft with Queretaro bringing in two of the biggest names in the transfer window.
Wednesday's draft is the only day players can move within Liga MX, and while the deals often pick up later into the night as the deadline approaches, the Gallos Blancos got their business done early. In addition to exercising their option on previously on-loan defender Hiram Mier, the club also acquired left back Miguel Samudio from Club America on a full transfer and attacker Edson Puch on a six-month loan from Pachuca with the option to buy.
¡@samudiomiguel10 es #Gallo! Llega como compra definitiva.
— Gallos de Querétaro (@Club_Queretaro) December 13, 2017
🐔💪🏻¡Éxito! #SiempreGallos pic.twitter.com/cwedK4K8T8
The move could affect American defender Jonathan Bornstein, who had been the regular starter for Queretaro at left back in the previous several seasons. Queretaro also added Argentine defender Diego Novaretti, who had seen his playing time slip with Leon.
America manager Miguel Herrera had scoffed at reports Samudio had fallen out of favor but was willing to part was with the Paraguayan on draft day. He also sent center back Pablo Aguilar back to Club Tijuana, where Aguilar won a title in 2012, but received the trio of forward Henry Martin, defender Emanuel Aguilera and midfielder Joe Corona.
"I'm very thankful for all the love Club America gave me, above all their great fans. I always gave my best to defend these colors," Samudio tweeted. "Now there's a new challenge ahead of me."
Another big move announced Wednesday afternoon was an extension of Rodolfo Cota's loan at Chivas. The goalkeeper was set to return to Pachuca and emotionally bid farewell to fans but now looks set to be in the net in Guadalajara for another six months.
Cruz Azul has been busy since bringing in new manager Pedro Caixinha, but his moves to bring in Carlos Fierro from Chivas and Atlas duo Jose Maduena and Javier Salas already had been announced. Santos Laguna's swap with Chivas in which the Guerreros add Jose Juan Vazquez and Chivas brings in Gael Sandoval, also was made official Wednesday.
The clubs then announced a new deal with Ronaldo Cisneros heading to Chivas. The 20-year-old Torreon native moves to Guadalajara as a rising star after strong performances with both Santos' youth teams and Mexico youth national teams.
In total, 38 moves were made Wednesday with a value of more than 304 million pesos or just less than $16 million, according to a league news release.
