Andrés Salazar Explained

Andrés Salazar
Full Name:Andrés Salazar Osorio
Birth Date:15 January 2003
Birth Place:Guarne, Colombia
Height:1.82 m
Position:Left-back
Currentclub:Heart of Midlothian
(on loan from Atlético Nacional)
Clubnumber:80
Youthclubs1:Manantiales
Youthclubs2:Atlético Nacional
Years1:2021–
Clubs1:Atlético Nacional
Caps1:22
Goals1:1
Years2:2021
Clubs2:Valledupar (loan)
Caps2:9
Goals2:1
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Fortaleza CEIF (loan)
Caps3:26
Goals3:1
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Heart of Midlothian (loan)
Caps4:0
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2021–
Nationalteam1:Colombia U20
Nationalcaps1:30
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Colombia
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:4 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:21:36, 16 June 2023 (UTC)

Andrés Salazar Osorio (born 15 January 2003) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Scottish Premiership club Heart of Midlothian, on loan from Categoría Primera A club Atlético Nacional. He has also represented Colombia at senior internationla level.

Early life

Salazar was born in Guarne in the Antioquia Department, and grew up in the Camilo Torres de Guarne neighbourhood.[1]

Club career

Salazar started his career with grassroots side Manantiales, before moving to professional side Atlético Nacional.[1] While in the academy, he suffered a potentially career-threatening injury, but was able to overcome it to continue his development.[2] He was loaned to Categoría Primera B sides Valledupar and Fortaleza C.E.I.F. for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively.[1]

In a Categoría Primera A match between Atlético Nacional and América de Cali, Salazar injured América de Cali's Spanish forward Iago Falque with a strong challenge. He received criticism for the perceived malice in his challenge, which Salazar denied, stating that there was "no bad intention" and that he hoped Falque "recovers soon".[3] Falque himself would go on to state that Salazar had sent him a message to apologise, and that he had forgiven him for the incident, describing the injury as "involuntary".[4]

Following impressive performances with the Colombia under-20 squad, Salazar was linked with a move to Mexican side Club América.[5]

On 15 August 2024, Salazar joined Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian on a season-long loan deal.[6]

International career

Salazar has represented Colombia at under-20 level. He made his debut for the senior team on 16 June 2023 in a 1–0 win against Iraq.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Atlético Nacional2023Categoría Primera A70004000110
2024Categoría Primera A151000000151
total221004000261
Valledupar (loan)2021Categoría Primera B912000111
Fortaleza C.E.I.F. (loan)20222614000301
Career total573604000673
Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andrés Salazar, un sub 20 que pide pista en Atlético Nacional. Andrés Salazar, a sub 20 who asks for a clue in Atlético Nacional. Juan Camilo. Álvarez Serrano. 2 June 2023. nacionalespasion.com.co. Spanish.
  2. Web site: Nacional saca pecho con Andrés Salazar, pero estuvo a punto de salir por esto. Nacional sticks out his chest with Andrés Salazar, but he was about to leave for this. Jairo. Sanchez. 30 May 2023. 2 June 2023. soyverdolaga.com.co. Spanish.
  3. Web site: Salazar sobre lesión de Falque: “No hubo mala intención”. Salazar on Falque's injury: "There was no bad intention". Jeimmy Paola. Sierra. 5 May 2023. 2 June 2023. colombia.as.com. Spanish.
  4. Web site: Falque defiende a Salazar: “Fue involuntario, no hay maldad”. Falque defends Salazar: "It was involuntary, there is no evil". 5 May 2023. 2 June 2023. colombia.as.com. Spanish.
  5. Web site: Andrés Salazar está volando en el Mundial Sub 20 y en México ya le siguen los pasos. Andrés Salazar is flying in the Sub 20 World Cup and in Mexico they are already following in his footsteps. Marco. Gómez. 1 June 2023. 2 June 2023. nacionfutbol.co.co. Spanish.
  6. Web site: Hearts seal loan deal for Colombia defender Salazar. BBC. 15 August 2024. 15 August 2024.