| 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.
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]
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]
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]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Girona B | 2022–23 | Tercera Federación | 8 | 3 | – | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | ||
| 2023–24 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | |||