In Ibagué, Sergio Aguayo is beginning to turn a temporary move away from Guadalajara into an important stage of his career. The 23-year-old Mexican forward, loaned by Chivas to Deportes Tolima in search of the regular football he could not secure with the first team, has made an early impact in Colombia.
Aguayo has played five domestic matches for Tolima, accumulating 217 minutes and scoring twice. Both goals have carried weight for his new club, while he has also added two Copa Libertadores appearances to his experience abroad.
A decisive night against América de Cali
His latest contribution came against América de Cali, when he was selected to start. In the 22nd minute, Aguayo stepped up to take a penalty and sent a low angled effort past the goalkeeper to put Tolima ahead.
The match finished 1-1, but the forward was close to producing a more spectacular second goal. He completed an overhead kick that found the net, only for the effort to be ruled out because the ball had gone out of play earlier in the move.
Growing from the bench
Aguayo initially had to settle for substitute appearances after arriving in Colombia, but has gradually earned greater trust within the Tolima squad. His first goal for the club came against Llaneros, where he entered from the bench and headed in the winner for a 2-1 result.
Chivas had already seen his finishing ability during his spell with Tapatío, where he established himself as a scorer. Yet limited opportunities with Guadalajara’s senior side prompted the club to find a loan destination that could offer him a more consistent competitive role.
The early returns suggest that Tolima is providing that platform: regular minutes in the Colombian game, two decisive league goals and the first steps of a Copa Libertadores education for a forward still looking to make his case back in Mexico.
