Emiliano Velázquez

Emiliano Daniel Velázquez Maldonado (born 30 April 1994) is an Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Mexican club Juárez.

Emiliano Velázquez
Velázquez with Rayo Vallecano in 2019
Personal information
Full nameEmiliano Daniel Velázquez Maldonado[1]
Date of birth (1994-04-30) 30 April 1994 (age 30)
Place of birthMontevideo, Uruguay
Height1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)Centre back
Team information
Current team
Nacional
Youth career
Danubio
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2012–2014Danubio58(2)
2014–2018Atlético Madrid0(0)
2014–2016Getafe (loan)38(4)
2016–2017Braga (loan)6(0)
2017–2018Rayo Vallecano (loan)25(2)
2018–2021Rayo Vallecano42(0)
2021–2022Santos23(0)
2022–2023Juárez9(0)
2023–Nacional0(0)
International career
2008–2009Uruguay U1520(1)
2010–2011Uruguay U1739(3)
2012–2013Uruguay U2024(1)
2014Uruguay1(0)
Medal record
Representing  Uruguay
Men's Football
FIFA U-20 World Cup
Runner-up2013 Turkey
South American U-20 Championship
Third place2013 Argentina
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Runner-up2011 Mexico
South American U-17 Championship
Runner-up2011 Ecuador
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:06, 4 July 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10 October 2014

Club career

Danubio

Born in Montevideo, Velázquez graduated from local Danubio F.C.'s youth system, and made his first-team debut on 3 June 2012, starting and being sent off in a 2–1 away loss against C.A. Bella Vista.[2] It was his maiden appearance of the campaign.

Velázquez appeared regularly in the 2012–13 season, appearing in 24 matches (all starts, 2106 minutes of action), as his side finished dead last in Apertura but was fifth in Clausura. On 31 August 2013, he scored his first professional goal, netting the last of a 2–1 away win against Liverpool F.C. Montevideo;[3] he was an ever-present figure during the club's winning campaign.

Atlético Madrid

On 27 August 2014, Velázquez signed a five-year deal with Atlético Madrid,[4] and the following day he was loaned to Getafe CF for the 2014–15 season.[5] He made his La Liga debut on 28 September, starting in a 1–0 home win against Málaga CF.[6]

Velázquez scored his first goal in the main category of Spanish football on 21 December, netting the last in a 1–1 draw at Granada CF.[7] After contributing with 27 appearances and avoiding relegation, his loan was extended for another year on 2 July 2015.[8]

After an unassuming loan spell at Primeira Liga side S.C. Braga, Velázquez returned to Getafe on 26 July 2017, also in a one-year loan deal.[9] On 24 August, however, he joined Segunda División club Rayo Vallecano on a season-long loan from the latter.[10]

Rayo Vallecano

After contributing with two goals in 25 appearances as Rayo achieved promotion to the top tier as champions, Velázquez signed a three-year contract with the club on 23 July 2018.[11] He would be mainly used as a backup to Jordi Amat and Abdoulaye Ba during the 2018–19 season, as the Franjirrojos were immediately relegated back.

In July 2019, Velázquez suffered a serious knee injury[12] which sidelined him for the most of the campaign. He returned to action nearly a year later,[13] and subsequently became a regular starter under Andoni Iraola as the club achieved another promotion in 2021.[14]

Santos

Velázquez playing for Santos in 2022

On 30 August 2021, Velázquez signed a contract with Brazilian club Santos until the end of 2022.[15] He made his club debut on 18 September, starting in a 0–0 away draw against Ceará.

On 5 July 2022, Velázquez terminated his contract with Santos.[16]

Juárez

On 12 July 2022, Velázquez switched teams and countries again, after signing for Liga MX side Juárez.[17]

Nacional

On 8 September 2023, Velázquez moved to his home country after 9 years to play for Nacional.[18]

International career

Velázquez appeared with Uruguay under-17's in the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup, being also his side's captain. He also played for the under-20's in 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Turkey.

On 8 September 2013, Velázquez was called up to the main squad by manager Óscar Tabárez for a friendly against Colombia.[19] He only made his full international debut on 10 October of the following year, starting in a 1–1 draw against Saudi Arabia at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in Jeddah.[20]

Personal life

Velázquez's older brother Matías is also a footballer. A right back, he also represented Danubio.[21]

In September 2020, Velázquez acquired the Spanish nationality after six years living in the country.[22]

Career statistics

Club

As of 16 October 2023[23]
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalState LeagueOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Danubio2011–12Primera División1010
2012–1324000240
2013–14322322
2014–15101[a]020
Total58210592
Atlético Madrid2014–15La Liga000000
Getafe (loan)2014–15La Liga27150321
2015–1611300113
Total38450434
Braga (loan)2016–17Primeira Liga60102[b]12[c]1112
Rayo Vallecano2017–18Segunda División25210262
2018–19La Liga18020200
2019–20Segunda División200020
2020–21220303[d]0280
Total6726030762
Santos2021Série A100100
202290103[a]04[e]0170
Total190103040270
Juárez2022–23Liga MX9090
Nacional2023Primera División0000
Career total197813061405122510

International

As of 22 August 2021[23][24]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Uruguay201410
Total10

Honours

Rayo Vallecano

References

  • Profile at the Uruguayan Football Association website (in Spanish)