Rosario Central has landed a reliable addition for their goalkeeping department. Axel Werner, the 29-year-old Argentine goalkeeper, has renewed his contract with Elche until June 2028 and will join the Canalla on loan next season. The move comes at a critical time for the team, which today sits 11th in the Copa de la Liga Profesional with 15 points after 14 games, a run of four straight losses, and a record of 4 wins, 3 draws, and 7 defeats.

What happened with Werner and Elche?

Argentine goalkeeper Axel Werner has agreed terms with Elche to extend his stay until 2028, but he won’t feature for the Valencian side. After arriving on a free transfer from Atlético Madrid in the 2021-22 season, Werner made just two official appearances for Elche and never established himself in the squad. His time in Spanish football was marked by successive loans: Arsenal de Sarandí, Rosario Central —where he spent two years— and Aldosivi. Now, Elche have opted to send him to Rosario Central, a club where the keeper already has prior experience.

Why does this signing matter for Rosario Central?

Rosario Central are navigating an uneven Copa de la Liga Profesional campaign: 15 points from 14 matches, 10 goals scored and 18 conceded, a -8 goal difference, and 16 points behind league leaders Estudiantes de La Plata. The arrival of Werner comes at a time when the team needs stability between the posts. The goalkeeper arrives with experience in Argentine football after his spell at the club between 2023 and 2025, where he logged minutes and earned confidence.

What’s next for Werner and the Canalla?

Werner will play for Rosario Central on loan next season, with a purchase option at the end of the deal. The Rosario outfit, which hosts Corinthians at the Gigante de Arroyito on August 11, will look to the Argentine keeper for leadership and minutes in a tournament where the goal has been a weak spot in recent campaigns. Meanwhile, at Elche, the board has opted to renew Werner despite his limited game time, prioritizing his long-term ties.

Rosario Central, who today sit on 15 points in the Copa de la Liga Profesional, remain in the hunt to avoid the drop and push for a mid-table finish. Werner’s arrival adds a name with local experience, something the coaching staff values as they reshape the squad in a transfer window marked by constant comings and goings.