From Boca's Medical Rejection to a Shot at Redemption with Independiente

Andrés Felipe Román, the Colombian right-back who failed a medical with Boca Juniors in 2021, may be getting a second chance in Argentina. According to TyC Sports, Independiente has identified the 29-year-old as a potential signing for the upcoming transfer window.

Román nearly joined Boca in February 2021, but the move collapsed after he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a condition often linked to sudden cardiac death in athletes. In Colombia, doctors suggested it was a benign case of "athlete's heart," not incompatible with professional sports. Román eventually resumed his career with Millonarios and later joined Atlético Nacional as a free agent.

Now at Atlético Nacional, he's been called up by Colombia for the current international break, during which the national team will host Peru and then travel to face Argentina. His only previous cap came in a friendly against Honduras in January 2022. Despite limited exposure at the international level, his performances in the Colombian league have reignited interest.

Román has scored 17 goals in 98 appearances for Atlético Nacional, after netting nine in 114 matches with Millonarios—a rare scoring output for a defender. That attacking instinct mirrors the style of Independiente’s current left-back Álvaro Angulo, a former teammate of Román's in Medellín.

The Avellaneda side’s interest is also driven by squad needs. Federico Vera is the only natural right-back on the roster. Felipe Loyola, often used in that position, is reportedly on the verge of a major move to Europe. TyC Sports reported that Bayern Munich is preparing an offer in the €15–20 million range for the Chilean.

Román isn't the only name under consideration, but his candidacy is gaining traction. With the league on hold until after the Club World Cup, Independiente is already planning ahead. Could this be Román’s long-awaited breakthrough in Argentine football?