Huracán’s 2029 Youth Intake Under the Microscope
By Mateo Ledesma – Revista Fútbol Federa
Youth development is rarely glamorous. It does not come with trophies lifted under floodlights or last minute winners. Instead, it lives quietly on training pitches, in meeting rooms and in the patience of those willing to think years ahead.
At Huracán, the 2029 youth intake has sparked debate. Only one player was offered a professional contract from this year’s scholars — a figure that raised eyebrows among supporters. To understand the reasoning, the responsibility and the long-term vision, I sat down with Director of Football Daniel Vega and newly appointed Head of Youth Development Andrés Jaimes at La Quemita.
What followed was a frank, reflective conversation about failure, rebuilding, and belief.
“We Can’t Expect Wonderkids Every Year”
When asked why just one youth player earned a professional deal this year, Daniel Vega didn’t hide from the question.
“First of all, we have to be honest,” Vega said. “You cannot expect to produce wonderkids every single year. Football doesn’t work like that. Development is not linear.”
Still, Vega acknowledged that one contract alone was not good enough.
“That said, I accept that only producing one player is a failing. There’s no escaping that. If you are Huracán, you must aim higher.”
The response has been structural rather than cosmetic. Vega detailed a significant overhaul behind the scenes.
“We have completely restructured the youth setup. New staff, new roles, new accountability. The appointment of Andrés is a huge part of that. We’ve also rebuilt our recruitment network and invested heavily in the training ground.”
That investment, Vega explained, has largely happened away from public view.
“People often focus on signings, but what we’ve done off the pitch matters just as much. Facilities, analysis, coaching education, these are foundations. You won’t see the results tomorrow, but in three, four, five years, you will.”
The One Who Made It: Daniel Britos
That lone professional contract belongs to Daniel Britos, a 16-year-old attacking player already generating quiet excitement within the club.
Jaimes leaned forward when Britos’ name was mentioned.
“He’s quick, very comfortable with the ball, and he can use both feet, even though he prefers his right,” he explained. “That versatility gives us options.”
There are challenges too.
“There have been question marks about his personality,” Jaimes admitted. “But he’s 16. Our job is to guide him. With the right coaching, the right environment, we believe he can grow, not just as a footballer, but as a person.”
Recruitment on a New Budget, With a New Philosophy
The conversation then turned to recruitment. Vega was clear: investment in infrastructure meant less spending power in the market.
“We chose to invest off the pitch first. That naturally limited how much we could spend on signing youth players from other clubs.”
Still, Huracán moved decisively.
“We identified six players we truly believe in. Five of them we managed to sign without paying a fee — just future sell-on percentages. That’s smart business.”
The exception was Nicolás Riera, a 16-year-old midfielder from Estudiantes (BA), signed for $97,000.
“Nicolás stood out immediately,” Vega said. “Great personality, dual-footed, calm on the ball.”
Physically, he remains a work in progress.
“He’s 5’5”, lacks strength right now,” Vega continued. “But that can be developed. He’s raw, yes — but he’s a project we believe in.”
Jaimes echoed that sentiment.
“He’s brave with the ball,” Andrés added. “He doesn’t hide. That mentality at 16 is very important.”
The Rest of the Class: Raw Materials, Clear Ideas
Matías Castellano, 16, arrived on a free from Deportivo Guaymallén.
“He was playing centre-back,” Jaimes explained, “but we see him possibly as a defensive midfielder. He can pass, he can tackle — a potential ball winner.”
Standing at 5’10”, Castellano offers flexibility and intelligence.
Facundo Fernández, 16, from Huracán (Tres Arroyos), is a different profile entirely.
“He’s an attacking player, 6’0”, naturally fit,” said Jaimes. “Technically raw, yes, but comfortable on the ball. He lacks experience, but that’s something we can give him.”
“He gives us something to work with,” Jaimes added. “That’s the key.”
Francisco Solari, a midfielder from Las Palmas (CB), impressed immediately — but not for the usual reasons.
“We loved his physicals,” Jaimes said. “Quick, fit, covers every blade of grass.”
There is refinement needed.
“His stamina needs work, and his passing needs consistency. He sees the right pass, makes good decisions, but the final ball isn’t always there yet. The technique is good — now it’s about repetition.”
Franco Farías, 16, from Academia Chacras, arrives as a pure left-footer.
“He’s really raw,” Jaimes admitted. “But he was already starting every week for his former team.”
Short in stature, Farías will need time — and patience.
“He’s one for the long term,” Andrés said.
Finally, there is Santiago Agüero, 16, a striker from 8 de Julio (Morteros).
“Inside the box, he scores goals,” Jaimes said with a smile. “Outside of it, he works. He presses, he’s aggressive, he’s quick for his age.”
“We want his work rate. That intensity fits how we want to play.”
Looking Years Ahead
As the interview drew to a close, Daniel Vega returned to the broader picture.
“These players are raw. They are projects. And that’s okay,” he said. “They are boys — 16 years old. They are at least two to five years away from senior football.”
The expectation, Vega stressed, is development — not miracles.
“With our revamped youth coaching, we hope to turn some of these players into first-team footballers. And if not for Huracán, then for someone else.”
At Huracán, the seeds have been planted. The results will not come overnight. But for the first time in years, there is a clear plan and the patience to see it through.
The Gaffers Lounge 
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