BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Racing Club have signed Colombian striker Mateo Cassierra on loan from Dutch giants Ajax, the Argentine first division side said on Thursday.

Racing will have the option of making the deal permanent at the end of the 18-month loan period, Ajax said in a separate statement.

Cassierra, who remains contracted with the Eredivisie outfit until June 30, 2021, spent the second half of 2018 on loan at FC Groningen, where he scored just once in 10 league appearances.

Racing currently lead the Superliga Argentina standings with 39 points from 16 matches, three points ahead of second-placed Defensa y Justicia.

The Buenos Aires outfit's next match is a home fixture against Huracan on Sunday.