River Locks Down Rising Star Dadín With Record $100M Release Clause

Bautista Dadín has signed his first professional contract with River Plate, and the club made headlines by setting a record-breaking release clause of $100 million, the highest ever in Argentine football. The deal runs through December 2028, and journalist Germán Balcarce reports the clause could rise to $120 million in the final 10 business days before each transfer window closes.

Born in 2006 in Balcarce, Dadín joined River in 2017 and quickly emerged as a standout talent. He scored 24 goals in 27 games for the U17s and added seven more in 15 appearances with the Reserve team, showing ambidexterity by netting with both feet.

His strong performances earned him a call-up from Marcelo Gallardo, who included him in the squad for the 2025 Club World Cup. Although he didn’t see playing time during the tournament, he remained with the senior team afterward and is now training alongside River’s top players.

The club’s move to secure Dadín comes in the wake of Franco Mastantuono’s $45 million transfer to Real Madrid. River appears determined to prevent more of its rising stars from leaving too soon. With this bold contract and clause, the message is clear: the next generation won't come cheap. Dadín’s next challenge is to earn Gallardo’s trust and begin carving out his place in the first team.