The latest Argentine youngster to leave Buenos Aires on a major transfer is Ever Banega. The 19-year-old starred for Argentina at the South American U-20 Championships last January, stepped into a starting role at Boca Juniors for league and Libertadores Cup play, and marshaled the midfield of Argentina's U-20 World Cup-winning team last summer. He joins Spain's Valencia on a $26 million transfer.
Banega, who finished fifth in 2007 South American Player of the Year balloting, follows Argentine attackers who left to Europe at a young age, including Javier Saviola (who left River Plate for Barcelona at age 19), Pablo Aimar (River to Valencia at 20), Andres D'Alessandro (River to Wolfsburg at 22) and Ariel Ortega (River to Valencia at 22).