Peruvian winger João Grimaldo, born February 20, 2003, has reportedly secured a move to Latvian side Riga FC on loan for the upcoming season. As reported by Franz Tamayo, the deal comes after the Peruvian’s much-anticipated transfer to Mexican club Juárez fell through, with Grimaldo now set to continue his development in the Virslīga.
Grimaldo, who currently plays for Serbian club FK Partizan, is regarded as one of Peru’s most promising young talents. His career took off at Sporting Cristal, where he solidified his place in the team’s starting lineup in 2021. That year, Grimaldo made 27 appearances, scoring one goal. His consistent performances caught the attention of both local and international scouts, leading to a move to FK Partizan in 2023.
Although Grimaldo’s time at Partizan has been relatively unsuccessful, with just five appearances this season, his potential has not gone unnoticed. He is currently valued at 1 million euros by Transfermarkt.
Before his transfer to Partizan, Grimaldo had a breakout season at Cristal, notably scoring in key matches such as the Copa Libertadores encounter against Racing and his crucial goal in the Bicentennial Cup final against Carlos Mannucci. His performances in the domestic competitions were equally impressive.
In 2022, Grimaldo’s presence continued to grow as he became an integral part of Cristal’s lineup, scoring four goals in 25 appearances. However, despite his development, he was not considered by Peru’s senior national team coach. His performance at Cristal was highlighted by a career-first expulsion and a season-ending injury that slightly hampered his growth during the latter stages of the year.
Riga FC will be hoping that the young Peruvian can replicate the form that made him a standout player in Liga 1 and continue his rise in European football. With the potential to earn a permanent transfer in the future, this loan spell could be a crucial step in Grimaldo’s career.
As of now, João Grimaldo has represented Peru at various youth levels, including the U17s and U20s, before making his senior debut in 2023. His international future remains bright as he looks to make an impact in the coming years.