OFFICIAL: Cristoforo loaned to Eibar

Fiorentina have carried a too-large roster all year and are working to whittle it down. Hence the departure of Sebastian Cristoforo for Eibar. The formula is a loan, with the Spanish side obliged to buy if he hits certain performance markers, although nobody seems to know what those are or what the transfer sum would be.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan has made just one appearance this year (the 1-0 loss to Hellas Verona), and that only came because Gaetano Castrovilli and Erick Pulgar were both suspended. This will be the second January loan to Spain in a row, as he spent last spring with Getafe.

A combative central midfielder, Cristoforo is a useful player who gets through a lot of running in the middle and wins the ball well. However, his limitations in possession have always hamstrung his potential. That said, he’s always looked much better in the more technical Spanish game than the more organized Italian one, so we expect the move to suit him.

He’ll fight for a spot in the engine room of José Luis Mendilibar’s 4-4-2 with Edu Expósito, Pape Diop, and Gonzalo Escalante. His mobility and tackling should be enough to earn him a role, but fighting with three other players for just two midfield spots could be tough.

His departure could clear the way for young Szymon Żurkowski to pick up some spot minutes should Giuseppe Iachini find his physical traits impressive enough. Alternatively, if the Big Z leaves on loan (which we’ve heard whispers of), there could be space for another starter in midfield, especially with SPAL chasing Milan Badelj. Bryan Dabo seems set for a move to the Ferrara-based club as well, and Cyril Théréau’s agent has been spotted at Viola headquarters for talks with Daniele Pradè as well. This move may be just the first domino in Fiorentina’s efforts to reduce squad size (and payroll), but it seems to suit all parties involved.

That’s a nice outcome for Cristoforo, considering that he seems to be well outside the clib’s plans at the moment. We’re just glad that our favorite player in the side has a chance to show his stuff on a stage that should be congenial to him. We wish him every success.