Elias Sierra Explained

Elias Sierra
Fullname:Elias Sierra-Cappelleti
Birth Date:25 August 2001
Birth Place:Hasselt, Belgium
Height:1.70 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:VVV-Venlo
Clubnumber:8
Youthyears1:2007–2008
Youthclubs1:Melosport Zonhoven
Youthyears2:2008–2009
Youthclubs2:Sporting Hasselt
Youthyears3:2009–2020
Youthclubs3:Genk
Years1:2020–2021
Clubs1:Genk
Caps1:1
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–2023
Clubs2:Heracles Almelo
Caps2:38
Goals2:0
Years3:2023–
Clubs3:VVV-Venlo
Caps3:33
Goals3:3
Nationalyears1:2015–2016
Nationalteam1:Belgium U15
Nationalcaps1:6
Nationalgoals1:1
Nationalyears2:2017–2018
Nationalteam2:Belgium U17
Nationalcaps2:12
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2018–2019
Nationalteam3:Belgium U18
Nationalcaps3:7
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2020
Nationalteam4:Belgium U19
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:09:23, 14 April 2024 (UTC)
Nationalteam-Update:8 September 2020

Elias Sierra-Cappelleti (born 25 August 2001) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club VVV-Venlo.

Club career

Genk

Early years

Sierra, with a Spanish grandfather and an Italian grandmother on his father's side, was born in Hasselt, Belgium, and spent his early years in Zonhoven.[1] He started playing football at local club Melosport Zonhoven and later moved to Sporting Hasselt, following in the footsteps of his older brother. While at Sporting Hasselt, scouts from Genk noticed his talent, and he joined Genk's under-8 team after just one season.[2]

Sierra continued his development through Genk's youth teams and signed his first professional contract in August 2017, at the age of sixteen.[3] In the 2019–20 season, he played with Genk's youth team in the UEFA Youth League.[4]

First team

During the 2019–20 season's winter break, first-team coach Hannes Wolf selected Sierra for winter training camp in Benidorm. Sierra's exceptional performance during this period earned him a permanent place in the first team, and his contract was extended until 2023.[5] He was assigned jersey number 16. On 13 February 2020, he appeared on the bench for the first time in the away match against Antwerp. Sierra made his official debut for the first team on 14 September 2020, during the league match against Beerschot, replacing Eboue Kouassi in the 81st minute as Genk were defeated 5–2.[6]

Following the death of former Genk player Anele Ngcongca in November 2020, Genk decided to change Sierra's jersey number to 19, as they opted not to assign the number 16 to any other player out of respect for Ngcongca.[7]

Sierra made only one senior appearance for Genk, before leaving the club in January 2021.

Heracles Almelo

On 1 February 2021, Sierra completed a permanent transfer to Heracles Almelo, signing a contract until 2024.[8] He made his debut for the club on 4 April 2021, replacing Orestis Kiomourtzoglou in the 65th minute of a 3–0 loss to PSV.[9]

Sierra faced challenges in meeting expectations during his time at Heracles. Over one and a half seasons in the Eredivisie, he earned five starts and came on as a substitute in 16 matches. Following the club's relegation in 2022, he made 17 brief substitute appearances in the Eerste Divisie. Despite an ongoing contract, he was told to find a new club.[10]

VVV-Venlo

On 25 July 2023, Sierra signed a two-year contract with VVV-Venlo in Eerste Divisie, with an option for an additional season.[11] He made his debut for the club on the first matchday of the season, starting and playing 65 minute of a 3–1 Limburg derby loss to MVV.[12] [13] On 15 December, he scored his first competitive goal for VVV in a 2–1 league loss against TOP Oss.[14]

International career

Born in Belgium, Sierra is of Spanish and Italian descent. He is a youth international for Belgium.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Genk2020–21Belgian First Division A100010
Heracles Almelo2020–21Eredivisie5050
2021–22Eredivisie1600010170
2022–23Eerste Divisie17021191
Total3802110411
VVV-Venlo2023–24Eerste Divisie33310343
Career total7233110764

Honours

Heracles Almelo

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Goed genoeg en dus oud genoeg: Elias Sierra . 7 November 2023 . Het Belang van Limburg . 26 August 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230722123243/https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20200825_97921427 . 22 July 2023 . nl-BE.
  2. Web site: Elias Sierra KRC Genk . . https://web.archive.org/web/20200918155900/https://www.krcgenk.be/nl/sportief/82/elias-sierra . 18 September 2020 . nl-BE . dead.
  3. Web site: Elias Sierra tekent eerste contract . K.R.C. Genk . 7 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230627215500/https://www.krcgenk-jeugd.be/nl/news/detail/1248/elias-sierra-tekent-eerste-contract . 27 June 2023 . nl-BE . 25 August 2017.
  4. Web site: Elias Sierra » Youth Youth League 2019/2020 . WorldFootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL . 7 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107213237/https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/elias-sierra/a-junioren-youth-league-2019-2020/krc-genk-a-junioren/3/ . 7 November 2023.
  5. News: Gezocht: Belgische keeper voor de bank . 7 November 2023 . Het Belang van Limburg . 22 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230821053009/https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20200121_04815701 . 21 August 2023 . nl-BE.
  6. Web site: Beerschot 5–2 Genk . Soccerway.
  7. News: Anele Ngcongca overleden na ongeval: ex-Genkie zat niet achter het stuur, politie opent onderzoek naar 'dood door schuld' . 7 November 2023 . Het Belang van Limburg . 23 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230821053008/https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/dmf20201123_92899273 . 21 August 2023 . nl-BE.
  8. News: Genkse middenvelder Elias Sierra tekent tot 2024 bij Heracles . 7 November 2023 . Het Nieuwsblad . 1 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230821053007/https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20210201_96577924 . 21 August 2023 . nl-BE.
  9. Web site: PSV vs. Heracles 3–0: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 7 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210508064051/https://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2021/04/04/netherlands/eredivisie/psv-nv/stichting-heracles-almelo/3304741/ . 8 May 2021.
  10. News: Blijlevens . Ralph . VVV-Venlo verlost Elias Sierra van Heracles Almelo . 7 November 2023 . Tubantia . 25 July 2023 . nl.
  11. VVV-Venlo. VVV-Venlo neemt middenvelder Sierra over van Heracles Almelo. VVV-Venlo takes over midfielder Sierra from Heracles Almelo. 25 July 2023. 25 July 2023. nl.
  12. Web site: VVV vs. MVV 1–3: Summary . Soccerway . Perform Group . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108150930/https://nr.soccerway.com/matches/2023/08/13/netherlands/eerste-divisie/vvv-venlo/stichting-mvv/4097218/ . 8 November 2023.
  13. News: Haaster . Jonathan . MVV slaat na rust genadeloos toe en wint Limburgse derby van VVV . 8 November 2023 . Voetbalzone . 13 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108150646/https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/mvv-slaat-na-rust-genadeloos-toe-en-wint-limburgse-derby-van-vvv/422650 . 8 November 2023 . nl.
  14. News: Kleinen . Jelle . VVV-trainer Kruys teleurgesteld: 'We waren onherkenbaar' . 17 December 2023 . 1limburg . 16 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217074935/https://www.1limburg.nl/sport/2350106/vvv-trainer-kruys-teleurgesteld-we-waren-onherkenbaar . 17 December 2023 . nl.
  15. News: Winnend Heracles ziet PEC niet uithalen en is kampioen van eerste divisie . 30 October 2023 . NOS . 19 May 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230527225850/https://nos.nl/artikel/2475743-winnend-heracles-ziet-pec-niet-uithalen-en-is-kampioen-van-eerste-divisie . 27 May 2023 . nl.