Gallardo terminates D.C. deal, close to River return

By Gregory Sica, Special to SI.com, Goal.com

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It seemed that Marcelo Gallardo would return to Argentine soccer with Estudiantes de La Plata, but he finally decided to move back to former club River Plate instead.

The former Argentine international terminated his contract with D.C. United, and will pen a one-year deal with River. Gallardo will join his new teammates in preseason training immediately.

Gallardo, 33, was River's first reinforcement for the new season, but head coach Nestor Gorosito is now after Matias Fernandez (Villarreal) and Damian Escudero (Valladolid).

It is still unknown whether highly rated striker Cristian Fabbiani will join River, after much speculation linking him with a move to the Estadio Monumental in recent weeks.

Other players who could play for Los Millonarios this season include Juan Mercier of Argentinos Juniors, and club idol Ariel Ortega, who is currently on the books at Independiente Rivadavia.

River Plate finished rock-bottom of the Apertura Championship last season, and is hoping to build a competitive squad to compete in the Clausura Championship and the Copa Libertadores.