BUENOS AIRES, May 29 (Xinhua) -- River Plate has completed the signing of World Cup-winning defender Nicolas Otamendi from Portugal's Benfica on a free transfer, the Argentine club said on Friday.

The 38-year-old agreed to a contract that runs until December 2027, according to a brief statement on the Buenos Aires club's website.

The announcement came a day after Otamendi was included in Argentina's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts next month in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Otamendi made 281 appearances over six seasons with Benfica and helped the club to the 2022-23 Portuguese top-flight title.

The center-back previously had spells at Manchester City, Valencia, Porto, Atletico Mineiro and Velez Sarsfield. He has been capped 130 times for Argentina and was part of the Albiceleste squad that won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. ■