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Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández was officially presented as a new Chivas player at the weekend as a packed Akron Stadium greeted the return of the Guadalajara native who is back at the club where he made his professional breakthrough before embarking on a move to Manchester United in 2010.

Despite the striker still recovering from long term injury with no return date to action yet to be confirmed, the 35-year-old’s return to Liga MX has seen a surge of interest in the club with the Chivas store recording a wave in sales of Chicharito No. 14 replica jerseys.

Saturday’s event was the first time in Mexican soccer history that a stadium filled for a simple presentation and another testament to the impact of the player returning to Chivas is that tickets for Tuesday’s Clausura 2024 game at home to Toluca is a total sell-out. Chivas announced the news on Monday and the demand for tickets is especially surprising with midweek Liga MX games traditionally being less well attended.

The demand to see the team contrasts with Chivas’ indifferent start to the season with Fernando Gago still yet to record a win in his three Liga MX games in charge with one defeat and two draws seeing the side sitting in 13th place in the table.

Chivas face San Luis (away) over the weekend before their CONCACAF Champions League campaign commences next week as they travel to Canada to face Forge FC in Hamilton.

Meanwhile, Chicharito continues to work on recovery from his cruciate injury and early signs indicate that he could be back in action again within 4-6 weeks.