San Lorenzo has signed 23-year-old Argentine center Julián Lorca, a 2.07-meter big man who most recently played for Colo in Chile, to fill the roster spot vacated by American Cli’Ron Hornbeak — a move that gives the struggling Liga Nacional club more size and experience in the paint, La Nueva Provincia reported. The 2003-born Córdoba native traveled to Buenos Aires on Sunday night to join the azulgrana, and his first test will come quickly: Marca Personal reported that his debut is expected Friday against Regatas Corrientes.

The signing is a direct response to Hornbeak’s brief stint in Boedo. The American played just four games for San Lorenzo before departing, averaging 4.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, according to La Nueva Provincia. Head coach Gonzalo García opted for an Argentine internal to reinforce the pintura, Marca Personal reported. The two outlets differ slightly on San Lorenzo’s record: La Nueva Provincia listed the team at one win and four losses, while Básquet Plus described a 1-3 start — either way, the club is looking to turn its season around.

Lorca’s winding path back to the Liga Nacional

Lorca’s route to San Lorenzo runs through three countries. He spent 2020 at Schoolhouse Preparatory in Miami before returning to Argentina, La Nueva Provincia reported, and he then played two seasons for San Martín of Corrientes in the Liga Nacional, in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023. After that came a season with Deportivo Norte of Armstrong in 2023-2024, a stop at Villa Mitre — where he played both the Liga Argentina and the local tournament — and finally a move to Chile, where he appeared for Deportes Castro in the Torneo Apertura and Colo in the Clausura.

Though Lorca represented Argentina at the AmeriCup U16 level, Marca Personal reported, he ultimately chose to play for Chile’s senior national team — including a friendly against the Bahamas — because he holds dual nationality: his father, Christian, and his grandparents are Chilean, La Nueva Provincia reported.

What the move means for San Lorenzo now

At 2.07 meters, Lorca gives San Lorenzo an interior presence that Hornbeak, at 4.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in four games, did not provide. La Nueva Provincia framed the signing as giving Lorca a more prominent role than in his earlier Liga stint with San Martín, backed by the experience he gained at Villa Mitre and in Chile.

Frequently asked questions about Julián Lorca’s signing

Who is Julián Lorca? A 23-year-old center born in Villa María, Córdoba, in 2003, standing 2.07 meters tall, Marca Personal reported. He has played in Argentina, Chile and the United States.

Who is he replacing at San Lorenzo? American Cli’Ron Hornbeak, who left after four games averaging 4.8 points and 4.8 rebounds, according to La Nueva Provincia.

When does Lorca debut? Marca Personal reported his first game is expected Friday against Regatas Corrientes, as San Lorenzo looks to recover from its slow start.

Why did he play for Chile despite being Argentine? He holds dual nationality through his Chilean father and grandparents and represented Chile in a friendly against the Bahamas, though he also played for Argentina’s U16 team, both outlets reported.

The next confirmed checkpoint on the calendar is Friday’s home date against Regatas Corrientes, where Lorca is expected to make his San Lorenzo debut in the Liga Nacional.