Juan Arango Jr. Explained

Juan Arango Jr.
Fullname:Juan Fernando Arango Tortolero[1]
Birth Date:27 June 2006
Birth Place:Calvià, Spain
Height:1.75 m
Position:Midfielder, forward
Currentclub:Girona B
Youthclubs1:EdF Juan Arango
Youthclubs2:Caracas
Youthyears3:2021–2022
Youthclubs3:Girona
Years1:2022–
Caps1:8
Goals1:3
Nationalyears1:2022–
Nationalteam1:Venezuela U17
Nationalcaps1:11
Nationalgoals1:4
Nationalyears2:2023–
Nationalteam2:Venezuela U23
Nationalcaps2:1
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:12 November 2023
Nationalteam-Update:12 November 2023

Juan Fernando Arango Tortolero (born 27 June 2006) is a Venezuelan footballer who plays as a midfielder for Spanish side Girona B.

Early and personal life

Arango was born in Spain to former Venezuelan international footballer Juan Arango Sr.. He is the nephew of Edson Tortolero, and the great-grandson of Argenis Tortolero, both of whom also represented Venezuela at international level.[2] [3] His cousin, Edson Tortolero Jr., is also a footballer, and currently plays for Venezuelan side Carabobo.[3]

Club career

Having begun his career at the academy set up by his father, Escuela de Fútbol Juan Arango, Arango played briefly for Caracas, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Venezuela, he only managed an appearance apiece for the club's under-15 and under-17 sides.[4] In March 2021, he went on trial with Spanish side Girona, before joining the club at the opening of the summer transfer window in August of the same year.[4] [5]

He signed his first professional contract with the club in August 2022, penning a three-year deal.[6] He marked his debut for Girona's B team with a goal, scoring the club's fourth goal in a 4–2 win against Vilafranca in the Tercera Federación.[7]

International career

Eligible to represent both Spain and Venezuela at international level, Arango chose to follow in the footsteps of his father, stating in an interview with Venezuelan sports newspaper Diario Meridiano that he has "always wanted to represent Venezuela".[2] He was called up to the Venezuela under-17 squad in late 2022, and scored twice in a 4–2 friendly win against Bolivia in December.[8]

Called up to the squad again for the 2023 South American U-17 Championship, he scored twice in eight appearances to help Venezuela to a fourth-place position in the final round.[9] Following his goal against Bolivia in Venezuela's 2–0 win, he stated that he wanted to "create [his] own legacy", and that his father's name was not a burden on his footballing career.[10] After Telasco Segovia had to undergo surgery for an abdominal issue, Arango was drafted into Venezuela's under-23 squad for the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament, where he went on to make one appearance as Venezuela finished eighth.[11]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Girona B2022–23Tercera Federación830083
2023–24000000
Career total83000083
Notes

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023™. 8 November 2023. fdp.fifa.org.
  2. Web site: Juan Arango Tortolero no le pierde pisada a su padre: quiere jugar con La Vinotinto. Juan Arango Tortolero does not lose track of his father: he wants to play with La Vinotinto. Carlos Alberto. Chacon Albino. 14 February 2022. 17 November 2023. meridiano.net. es.
  3. Web site: Juan Arango Jr.: ¿seguirá los pasos de su padre?. Juan Arango Jr.: will he follow in his father's footsteps?. 18 April 2023. 17 November 2023. larepublica.pe. es.
  4. Web site: Juan Arango Jr, el inicio de una nueva historia. Juan Arango Jr, the beginning of a new story. 27 March 2021. 17 November 2023. solovenex.com. es.
  5. Web site: El hijo de Juan Arango comienza su andar en el fútbol de élite. Juan Arango's son begins his journey in elite football. 3 August 2021. 17 November 2023. lapatilla.com. es.
  6. Web site: Hijo de Juan Arango firmó contrato con Girona. Juan Arango's son signed a contract with Girona. Karla. Benitez. 18 August 2022. 17 November 2023. primicia.com.ve. es.
  7. Web site: Con un gol debutó hijo de Juan Arango en España. Juan Arango's son made his debut in Spain with a goal. 8 October 2022. 17 November 2023. diarioeltiempo.com.ve. es.
  8. Web site: De tal palo… Pegada de Juan Arango Jr. selló la victoria de la Vinotinto Sub-17 ante Bolivia. From such a suit… Juan Arango Jr.'s strike sealed the victory of the Vinotinto U-17 against Bolivia. 16 December 2022. 17 November 2023. registrationcdnaws.com. es.
  9. Web site: De Juan Arango a Juan Arango, la Vinotinto vuelve a sonreír. From Juan Arango to Juan Arango, Vinotinto smiles again. Kiko. Perozo. 4 April 2023. 17 November 2023. hsmdeportes.com. es.
  10. Web site: Arango Jr: "Estoy creando mi propio legado". Arango Jr: "I am creating my own legacy". Fabiola. Sabedra. 5 April 2023. 17 November 2023. liderendeportes.com. es.
  11. Web site: ¡Oficial! Juan Arango Jr sustituirá a Telasco Segovia en el Torneo Maurice Revello 2023. Official! Juan Arango Jr will replace Telasco Segovia in the 2023 Maurice Revello Tournament. 7 June 2023. 17 November 2023. mazo4f.com. es.