Pedro Franco Explained

Pedro Franco
Fullname:Pedro Camilo Franco Ulloa
Birth Date:23 April 1991
Birth Place:Bogotá, Colombia
Height:1.83 m
Currentclub:Alianza Petrolera
Clubnumber:5
Youthyears1:2001–2009
Youthclubs1:Millonarios
Position:Centre back
Years1:2009–2013
Clubs1:Millonarios
Caps1:103
Goals1:7
Years2:2013–2018
Clubs2:Beşiktaş
Caps2:39
Goals2:1
Years3:2016
Clubs3:San Lorenzo (loan)
Caps3:3
Goals3:0
Years4:2016–2017
Clubs4:Millonarios (loan)
Caps4:35
Goals4:1
Years5:2017–2018
Clubs5:Boluspor (loan)
Caps5:10
Goals5:0
Years6:2018–2019
Clubs6:América de Cali
Caps6:40
Goals6:3
Years7:2021
Clubs7:Blooming
Caps7:4
Goals7:0
Years8:2021–2022
Clubs8:Fortaleza CEIF
Caps8:55
Goals8:1
Years9:2023-
Clubs9:Alianza Petrolera
Caps9:60
Goals9:3
Nationalyears1:2009–2011
Nationalteam1:Colombia U20
Nationalcaps1:14
Nationalgoals1:2
Nationalyears2:2014–2015
Nationalteam2:Colombia
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Pcupdate:5 May 2024
Ntupdate:6 June 2015

Pedro Camilo Franco Ulloa (pronounced as /es/; born 23 April 1991) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Alianza F.C. (Colombia). He is frequently used as a playmaker from the defensive end and also as a defensive midfielder if needed. He is mostly known for his anticipation of the ball, ball technique and passing.[1]

Club career

Millonarios

Franco is a youth product of Colombian team Millonarios. After making his debut in 2009 with the senior squad, he became a key defender for the Colombian capital's team. He was part of the team that won the 2012 Categoría Primera A season leading to the final on penalties, where he scored one of the penalties in victory.

In April 2013, Franco reached a remarkable 100th club career appearance.[2]

Beşiktaş

In June 2013, Franco signed a 5-year deal with Turkish giants Beşiktaş for a fee of 2.4 million.[3] [4] [5] However, he did not play in any games for the Turkish side for several months, leading many to believe that would leave in the 2014 January transfer window.[6] With no appearances in the league, Franco requested more playing time in order for potential spot in 2014 World Cup with Colombia. Beşiktaş coach, Slaven Bilić, promised to help him also guaranteeing that Franco would be included in Colombia's final list for the World Cup.[7]

After months of struggling to earn his debut, Franco finally made his official first appearance for the club in 2014 after being subbed in against Trabzonspor in the 66th minute. The game ended 1-1.[8] On February 11, 2014, he scored his first goal for Beşiktaş in a 3–0 away win against Kasımpaşa.[9]

San Lorenzo

On 15 January 2016, Franco joined San Lorenzo on a 6-month loan.[10]

Return to Millonarios

After a mostly unsuccessful loan spell at San Lorenzo, on 5 July 2016 Franco returned to his hometown team Millonarios on a 1-year loan.[11]

Boluspor

On 7 September 2017, signed with Turkish club Boluspor, on loan for the rest of the season.[12]

América de Cali

On 9 July 2018, Franco returned to Colombia, signing with América de Cali.[13]

Blooming

On 13 January 2021, Franco signed with Bolivian side Blooming,[14] after being released by América de Cali in June 2020.[15]

Fortaleza CEIF

On 14 August 2021, Fortaleza C.E.I.F. announced the signing of Franco,[16] marking his return to Colombia after a short spell in Bolivia.

Alianza Petrolera

On 2 December 2022, Franco signed for Colombian side Alianza Petrolera.[17]

International career

Franco played with the U-20 national team between 2009 and 2011. He won the 2011 edition of the Toulon Tournament where he was selected as the tournament's best defender,[18] and played in the 2011 South American Youth Championship. He also represented Colombia during the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in which his home nation hosted.

3 years after last playing for Colombia's youth national team, he was called up to the senior squad for the friendlies against Canada and El Salvador.[19] He debuted in a 3–0 win over El Salvador on 10 October, playing a full 90 minutes.

Career statistics

Club

[20]

Club! rowspan="2"
SeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Millonarios2009Colombian Primera A171000000171
2010150000000150
2011222610000283
20123026210000464
2013192006121274
Total10371231612113312
2013–14Turkish Süper Lig181100000191
2014–152103013000370
2015–160030000030
Total3917013000591
San Lorenzo (loan)2016Argentine Primera División3000100040
Millonarios (loan)2016Colombian Primera A111200000131
2017240002000260
Total351202000391
Boluspor (loan)2017–18Turkish 1.Lig100000000100
América de Cali2018Colombian Primera A170100000180
2019212720000302
20202100100031
Total403821000513
Blooming2021Bolivian Primera División4000000040
Fortaleza C.E.I.F.2021Colombian Primera B160000000160
2022391700000461
Total551700000621
Alianza Petrolera2023Colombian Primera A261000000251
Career total315143653312138621

International

Colombia senior team
YearAppsGoal
201420
201530
Total50

Honours

Club

Millonarios F.C.

2012-II

2011

Beşiktaş J.K.

2015–16

América de Cali

2019-II

2020

International

Colombia U20

2011

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Süper Lig - Pedro Franco Beşiktaş'ta - Süper Lig 2012-2013 - Futbol - Eurosport . Tr.eurosport.com . 2013-07-01.
  2. Web site: Pedro Franco llegó a sus primeros 100 partidos . Ligapostobon.com.co . 2013-04-30 . 2013-07-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002313/http://www.ligapostobon.com.co/noticias/pedro-franco-llego-sus-primeros-100-partidos-142810 . 2016-03-04 . dead .
  3. Web site: Pedro Franco Beşiktaş'ta . Aksam.com.tr . 2013-01-07 . 2013-07-01.
  4. Web site: Besiktas sign Los Millonarios defender Pedro Franco on a five-year deal . Turkish Football . 2013-07-01 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131022021333/http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=4834 . 2013-10-22 .
  5. Web site: Pedro Franco nuevo jugador del Beşiktaş . comutricolor.com . 2012-07-01 . 2013-07-01.
  6. Web site: Franco y una mala decisión . Goal.com . 2014-12-16 . 2015-03-17. es.
  7. Web site: Noticias, Fútbol colombiano, Fútbol internacional, Champions League, Selección Colombia, Eliminatorias, Mercado de pases, Colombianos por el Mundo . Goal.com . 2015-03-17. es.
  8. Web site: Member associations - Turkey - League – . Uefa.com . 2014-07-11 . 2015-03-17.
  9. Web site: Pedro Franco golle tanıştı . Son.tv . 2015-03-17.
  10. Web site: Dpa . Aires . Buenos . 2016-01-18 . Pedro Franco: "Quiero dejar una huella en San Lorenzo" . 2023-07-14 . Marca.com . es.
  11. Web site: Millonarios confirmó tres nuevas contrataciones entre ellas la de Pedro Franco . 2023-07-25 . RCN Radio . es.
  12. Web site: Semana . 2017-09-07 . El descenso de Pedro Franco . 2023-07-14 . Semana.com Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo . spanish.
  13. Web site: As.com . 2018-07-09 . Oficial: Pedro Franco es nuevo jugador de América . 2023-07-14 . Diario AS . es-co.
  14. Web site: 2021-01-13 . Pedro Franco tiene nuevo equipo tras salir de América . 2023-07-14 . Antena 2 . es.
  15. Web site: Tiempo . Casa Editorial El . Pedro Franco se va al exterior: seguirá su carrera en Bolivia . 2023-07-14 . futbolred.com . spanish.
  16. Web site: As.com . 2021-08-14 . Pedro Franco vuelve al FPC: Nuevo jugador de Fortaleza . 2023-07-14 . Diario AS . es-co.
  17. Web site: As.com . 2022-12-02 . Alianza Petrolera confirma fichaje de Pedro Franco . 2023-07-14 . Diario AS . es-co.
  18. Web site: Besiktas | Pedro Franco soll die Abwehr verstärken! . Gazetefutbol . 2013-07-01.
  19. Web site: Pekerman convocรณ la selecciรณn para amistosos - La Naciรณn . Lanacion.com.co . 2015-03-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141206210307/http://www.lanacion.com.co/index.php/deportes/item/242076-pekerman-convoco-la-seleccion-para-amistosos . 2014-12-06 . dead .
  20. Web site: P. Franco. Soccerway. 14 July 2023.