Best Transfers for Mexican Players in 2025: Who Made the Smartest Moves? | OneFootball

The January transfer window has now drawn to a close but Mexican players were at the heart of the drama.

Moves in and outbound caught international attention with the likes of James Rodríguez and Sergio Ramos signing deals to come to the Liga MX whilst there were some big names heading in the opposite direction.

As far as managers go, the biggest news came out of Cruz Azul as their commander-in-chief, Martín Anselmi opted for a move to Porto, leaving behind a La Máquina side desperate to get their hands on a 12th Liga MX trophy.

Let's delve into some of the biggest moves featuring high-profile or exciting Mexican stars.

5. César Garza: Monterrey to Dundee FC (Loan)

Monterrey v Santos Laguna - Torneo Apertura 2023 Liga MX | Azael Rodriguez/GettyImages

Monterrey and Dundee announced a 'strategic partnership' in November, aimed at providing young Mexican players with experience in a top European league. That opportunity quickly materialised for César Garza, who joined the Scottish club on a year-long loan.After making just two appearances for Los Rayados during the Apertura, Garza moved to the Scottish Premiership, where he has already featured five times. The 19-year-old particularly stood out in Dundee’s 1-1 draw against Rangers, delivering a tireless performance that saw him win nine duels and make three tackles.

4. Heriberto Jurado: Necaxa - Cercle Brugge (€1.65m)

Pumas UNAM v Necaxa - Torneo Clausura 2025 Liga MX | Jam Media/GettyImages

Heriberto Jurado was among the late movers in the January transfer window, making the switch to Belgium to join Cercle Brugge.A left-sided attacker, Jurado is one of Mexico’s most exciting young talents and was featured in The Guardian’s “Next Generation 2022”. He also earned a spot in Mexico’s squad for the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in June 2022.Despite starting just once for Necaxa in the opening four matches of the Clausura, Cercle Brugge saw enough promise in the 20-year-old to invest €1.65 million in a three-year deal.

3. Stephano Carrillo: Santos Laguna - Feyenoord (€2.50 m)

Santos Laguna v America - Torneo Clausura 2024 Liga MX | Manuel Guadarrama/GettyImages

The other Mexican making the jump to Europe at the end of the winter transfer window was Santos Laguna prodigy Stephano Carrillo.Feyenoord, having seen a certain Mexican superstar depart late in the window, chose to reinvest in the same market, identifying Carrillo as a potential long-term replacement.Carrillo played a key role in Mexico’s U-20 CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph in 2024, having previously showcased his goalscoring prowess with 11 goals in 10 games for the U-17 side.At the professional level, he has made 18 appearances in Liga MX, netting his first and only goal against reigning champions Club América.

2. César Huerta: Pumas - Anderlecht

SOCCER JPL D22 KV KORTRIJK VS RSC ANDERLECHT | KURT DESPLENTER/GettyImages

The most high-profile departure from Liga MX this winter was César Huerta’s move to Belgium, trading Mexico City for Brussels as he signed a four-year contract.Pumas’ star man attracted interest from a range of European clubs, with reports suggesting teams from England, Germany, Spain, and Greece were among his suitors.Huerta began his career at Chivas before joining Pumas ahead of the 2022–23 season. He truly made his mark during the 2023–24 campaign, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances.Now a regular for the Mexican national team, Huerta will be eager to cement his place in Javier Aguirre’s squad ahead of next summer’s FIFA World Cup.

1. Santiago Giménez: Feyenoord - AC Milan FEE

AC Milan v AS Roma: Quarter Final - Coppa Italia | Image Photo Agency/GettyImages

A Liga MX champion with his boyhood club Cruz Azul, Giménez signed for Feyenoord in 2022 going on to score 45 times in 73 matches.Giménez was on the lips of many of Europe's biggest clubs, his departure from Rotterdam was highly anticipated but not many would have guessed that El Bebote would make a move in January. Five-time UEFA Champions League winners AC Milan decided to let Alvaro Morata leave the club with interest from Galatasery and Giménez was the first-choice replacement.Negotiations went back and forth but the clubs agreed to a €37m deal, making the former Máquina one of the biggest transfers in the world in the January transfer window.He has already started life in Italy with a bang, coming off the bench to make his debut in the Coppa Italia against Roma, Giménez provided an assist to fellow new signing Joao Felix to seal their place in the final four of the competiton.How good will Santiago Giménez be with the Rossoneri?