When Martin Payero signed for Middlesbrough in August 2021, it was believed that he would elevate the club’s midfield and win over the Boro fans.
When Middlesbrough signed then-22-year-old Argentine midfielder Martin Payero for £6 million in early August 2021, Boro fans were understandably optimistic about his arrival.
Payero’s performances for Banfield in Argentina, as well as displaying hints of quality for Argentina at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, when he played all three games, prompted speculation of a move to Europe the following summer.
Many were surprised to see him relocate from Buenos Aires to Teesside, when he joined the Championship club and then-Boro manager Neil Warnock.
The previous season, Middlesbrough finished 10th in the Championship under Warnock after dropping out of the play-off places in the later stages of the season, thus it was believed that Payero would be the missing piece of the puzzle to propel Boro up the league.
When Payero joined the club, Warnock remarked, “He will be an exciting signing, we’re delighted to get everything done, and we’re looking forward to working with him.” I know Martin is looking forward to it and cannot wait to perform in front of our fans.”
Payero was unable to find his feet in Boro
Payero struggled to break into Warnock’s team during his debut season at the club.
He was typically an unused substitute off the bench or did not make the matchday squad, as Warnock preferred Jonny Howson, Matt Crooks, Sam Morsy, and Marcus Tavernier in the centre of the pitch.
He made his first league game for Boro in a 1-0 away loss to Reading and went on to build a run in the team from mid-late October, playing the full 90 minutes in four consecutive league matches as Boro won nine out of a possible 12 points.
However, just as Payero was settling in on the side, Warnock was replaced by Chris Wilder in November 2021, forcing Payero to prove himself once more.
| Martin Payero Middlesbrough FC career stats, as per Transfermarkt | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 16 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Yellow cards | 4 |
Under Wilder, his playing time was confined to the occasional late-game appearance off the bench. In a midweek match away at QPR, Payero came on as a late substitution for Crooks, but had to be stretchered off himself after coming off worse in a 50/50 battle.
That would effectively be his final appearance in a Boro shirt, as he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season, returning as an 89th-minute substitute away at Swansea in April 2022, and making another appearance in the first round of the EFL Cup in August 2023.
The Argentine would return to Argentina on loan with Boca Juniors for the 22/23 season, but his tenure at La Bombonera was also marred by injuries.
Payero’s Middlesbrough signing continues to divide opinion among Boro fans
Payero’s stint at Middlesbrough was not as successful as anyone involved in the agreement had planned. Payero made only 16 appearances for Boro, costing £375,000 per appearance without salaries.
After two years on Teesside, Payero moved to Italy with Udinese in a £3 million deal in the summer of 2023, with Boro recouping half of the cost they paid Banfield just two years before.
The Argentine’s arrival continues to divide fan opinion to this day, with some Boro fans describing his time with the club as ‘unlucky’, while others were relieved to see him leave.
Payero demonstrated his ability and potential on Teesside at times, with his only Boro goal coming in 2021, a well-taken strike away to Cardiff City.
Every time he stepped on the pitch, he had a burning ambition and hunger to impress, and he surely exuded the enigmatic aura that so often surrounds a talented young South American player visiting England.
Whatever your thoughts on Payero’s tenure at Middlesbrough, he was almost certainly a flop, but he is still a popular character at the Riverside Stadium today.
Leave a Reply