Diego Gutiérrez (soccer, born 1997)

Diego Nicolás Gutiérrez Zúñiga (born February 18, 1997) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Valour FC.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gutiérrez and the second or maternal family name is Zúñiga.

Diego Gutiérrez
A player reach behind him to grab the jersey of his opponent
Gutiérrez Zúñiga (right) in 2022
Personal information
Full name Diego Nicolás Gutiérrez Zúñiga
Date of birth (1997-02-18) February 18, 1997
Place of birth Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada
Height 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Valour FC
Number 8
Youth career
Colo-Colo
Palestino
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2019 Palestino 8 (0)
2019–2020 Valour FC 30 (0)
2021 Barnechea 12 (1)
2022– Valour FC 49 (4)
International career‡
2017 Canada U20 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 6, 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of May 11, 2017

Early life

Gutiérrez was born to Chilean parents in Greenfield Park, Quebec in Canada and moved to Santiago in Chile when he was three years old.[1] He began playing soccer at age five in the Colo-Colo academy.[1] Afterwards, he joined the youth setup of Palestino.[2]

Club career

On November 6, 2015, Gutiérrez made his senior league debut for Palestino against Deportes Antofagasta.[3] He departed the club in March 2019.[4]

In March 2019, Gutiérrez signed a deal with Canadian Premier League club Valour FC.[5] After the season, the club exercised his option for the 2020 season.[6]

In March 2021, Gutiérrez returned to Chile, signing with Primera B side Barnechea.[7]

In December 2021, Gutiérrez returned for a second spell at Valour FC for the 2022 season.[8][9] He was named the league's Player of the Month in April 2023.[10]

International career

Eligible to represent both Canada and Chile internationally, Gutiérrez was called up to the Chile U20 team in June 2016 for a pair of friendlies against Paraguay.[11] However, he did not play in either match.[12]

In January 2017, Gutiérrez was called up to a camp for the Canadian U20 team for the first time.[1] He made his debut against the Panama U20 in a friendly on January 20. He subsequently made the roster for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship,[13] where he made two appearances.[14]

Personal life

His twin brother Cristián is also a professional soccer player.[15]

Honours

Palestino

References
  1. Diego Gutiérrez at the Canadian Soccer Association
  2. McColl, Michael (January 22, 2020). "Move to Whitecaps and MLS not really a return home for Cristian Gutiérrez but it is an important "next stage" in his footballing growth". Away from the Numbers.
  3. "Joven defensa de Palestino y hermano gemelo de Cristián Gutiérrez fue citado para jugar por la Sub 20 de Canadá" [Young defender from Palestino and twin brother of Cristián Gutiérrez was summoned to play for the Canadian U20]. El Mercurio (in Spanish). February 11, 2017.
  4. Munizaga, Sebastián (March 4, 2019). "El chileno-canadiense Diego Gutiérrez deja Palestino y parte al Valour FC de Canadá" [Chilean-Canadian Diego Gutiérrez leaves Palestino and joins Valour FC in Canada]. RedGol (in Spanish).
  5. "Valour FC sign Canadian youth international Diego Gutierrez". Canadian Premier League. March 4, 2019.
  6. Jacques, John (January 16, 2020). "Valour FC Re-Signs Dylan Carreiro And Diego Gutierrez". Northern Tribune.
  7. Jacques, John (March 3, 2021). "Diego Gutierrez Signs For Chilean Side AC Barnechea". Northern Tribune.
  8. "Valour FC signs Canadian midfielder Diego Gutiérrez". Valour FC. December 21, 2021.
  9. Jacques, John (December 21, 2021). "Diego Gutierrez Completes Valour Return". Northern Tribune.
  10. Tierney, Mitchell (May 4, 2023). "Valour FC's Diego Gutiérrez named CPL Player of the Month for April". Canadian Premier League.
  11. "La Roja sub 20 practicó por última vez antes de viajar a Paraguay" [The Roja Under 20 practiced for the last time before travelling to Paraguay]. Football Federation of Chile (in Spanish). June 20, 2016.
  12. Jacques, John (December 20, 2021). "Rumour: Gutierrez Poised For Valour Return". Northern Tribune.
  13. Brisendine, Steve (February 9, 2017). "Canada names 20-man squad for CONCACAF U-20 Championship". Major League Soccer.
  14. Tait, Ed (December 21, 2021). ""As soon as I came in, I knew he was a guy that I wanted to bring back to the club." - Gutiérrez returns to the club for 2022". Valour FC.
  15. Tait, Ed (March 3, 2023). ""He's grown in leadership with the team." - Diego Gutierrez". Valour FC.
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