Rómulo Otero

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Otero with Caracas in 2014
Personal information
Full name Rómulo Otero Vásquez
Date of birth (1992-11-09) 9 November 1992
Place of birth Caracas, Venezuela
Height 1.66 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team Santos
Number 22
Youth career
2008–2009 Caracas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 Caracas B 12 (4)
2009–2016 Caracas 105 (20)
2015–2016 → Huachipato (loan) 11 (3)
2016–2017 Huachipato 10 (5)
2016–2017 → Atlético Mineiro (loan) 13 (2)
2017–2021 Atlético Mineiro 55 (12)
2018–2019 → Al-Wehda (loan) 25 (5)
2020–2021 → Corinthians (loan) 24 (2)
2021–2022 Cruz Azul 11 (0)
2022 Fortaleza 7 (1)
2023 Aucas 25 (2)
2024– Santos 26 (3)
International career‡
2013– Venezuela 49 (6)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 20:05, 28 June 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:31, 16 November 2023 (UTC)

Rómulo Otero Vásquez (born 9 November 1992) is a Venezuelan footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Brazilian club Santos.

Early life

Otero is the son of former Colombian player Rómulo Otero Córdoba, and was born in Caracas during his father's stint at Anzoátegui. His father died when he was three years old, and he started to live with another former footballer, Horacio "Chango" Cárdenas, in El Tigre.

Club career

Caracas

Otero joined the youth sides of Caracas FC at the age of 15, and made his senior debut on 3 September 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jesús Gómez in a 1–1 Primera División away draw against Llaneros. He spent the most of the campaign playing for the B-team in Segunda División, but featured in another two first-team matches.

Definitely promoted to the first team in 2010, Otero scored his first professional goal on 12 December of that year, netting the opener in a 3–0 away win over Zamora. He subsequently started to become a regular starter for the club, becoming one of their captains in 2013.

Huachipato

In August 2015, Otero moved abroad and was loaned to Chilean club Huachipato until July 2016, with a buyout clause. He made his debut with the club on 8 August, replacing Mikel Arguinarena and scoring the equalizer in a 2–1 home win over Deportes Iquique.

In February 2016, Otero's buyout clause was activated by Huachipato, and he finished the season with eight goals in just 21 appearances.

Atlético Mineiro

On 19 July 2016, Otero was announced at Série A side Atlético Mineiro on loan. He made his debut for the club on 4 August, replacing Robinho in a 2–1 away win over São Paulo, and scored his first goal in Brazil on 12 September, netting his team's second in a 3–2 away loss to Fluminense.

On 4 April 2017, Galo acquired 50% of Otero's economic rights for a rumoured fee of US$ 1.5 million, with the player signing a contract until 2020.

Loan to Al-Wehda

On 28 May 2018, after losing his starting spot, Otero joined Saudi club Al-Wehda on loan from Atlético. On 29 November 2018, the club expressed the intention of signing Otero on a permanent basis, but the deal ultimately did not go through.

Return from loan

Back to Atlético in July 2019, Otero featured regularly for the remainder of the year, but saw his playing time being drastically reduced in the 2020 season. In July 2020, however, his contract with Galo was renewed.

Loan to Corinthians

On 24 August 2020, Otero was loaned to fellow top tier side Corinthians until July 2021; he also became the first Venezuelan player to play for the club. He immediately became a starter for, but left on 1 July 2021 after losing his spot in the starting XI.

Cruz Azul

On 3 August 2021, free agent Otero signed a one-year deal with Liga MX side Cruz Azul. He managed to start in only one league match for the club, and left after his contract expired.

Fortaleza

On 2 July 2022, Fortaleza announced the signing of Otero until the end of the year. He scored once for the club, in a 1–1 home draw against Atlético Goianiense.

Aucas

On 25 March 2023, Otero was announced at Aucas.

Santos

On 29 December 2023, Otero returned to Brazil after being announced at Série B side Santos on a one-year contract. He made his debut for the club the following 20 January, replacing Pedrinho and scoring the winner in a 1–0 away win over Botafogo-SP.

International career

Otero received his first call-up for the Venezuela national team on 9 March 2013, for two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia. He made his full international debut thirteen days later, replacing Luis Manuel Seijas in a 3–0 loss against the former.

Otero scored his first goal for La Vinotinto on 10 September 2013, netting the third in a 3–2 win over Peru.

Career statistics

Club

As of 28 June 2024
Club Season League Cup Continental State League Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Caracas B 2009–10 Venezuelan Segunda División 12 4 — — — — 12 4
Caracas 2009–10 Venezuelan Primera División 3 0 — — — — 3 0
2010–11 9 1 — 1 0 — — 10 1
2011–12 15 1 — 2 0 — — 17 1
2012–13 29 4 — 6 0 — — 35 4
2013–14 30 6 — 2 0 — — 32 6
2014–15 22 8 — 4 1 — — 26 9
Total 108 20 — 18 1 — — 126 21
Huachipato 2015–16 Chilean Primera División 21 8 1 0 1 0 — — 23 8
Atlético Mineiro 2016 Série A 13 2 5 1 — — — 18 3
2017 28 8 4 1 8 1 13 3 2 1 55 14
2018 7 1 7 3 2 0 12 0 — 28 4
2019 20 3 2 0 5 0 — — 27 3
2020 0 0 1 0 1 1 5 1 — 7 2
Total 68 14 19 5 16 2 30 4 2 1 135 26
Al-Wehda (loan) 2018–19 Saudi Pro League 25 5 2 0 — — — 27 5
Corinthians (loan) 2020 Série A 24 2 — — — — 24 2
2021 0 0 2 1 4 0 11 1 — 17 2
Total 24 2 2 1 4 0 11 1 — 41 4
Cruz Azul 2021–22 Liga MX 11 0 0 0 4 1 — 1 0 16 1
Fortaleza 2022 Série A 7 1 2 0 — — — 9 1
Aucas 2023 Ecuadorian Serie A 25 2 0 0 6 2 — — 31 4
Santos 2024 Série B 12 0 — — 14 3 — 26 3
Career total 313 56 26 6 49 6 55 8 3 1 446 77
  1. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  2. ^ a b c d e f Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  3. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Campeonato Mineiro
  4. ^ Appearance(s) in Primeira Liga
  5. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista
  6. ^ Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions Cup
  7. ^ Appearance(s) in Campeones Cup

International

As of match played 16 November 2023 Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Venezuela 2013 4 1
2014 3 1
2015 2 0
2016 11 3
2017 6 1
2018 3 0
2019 4 0
2020 4 0
2021 5 0
2022 3 0
2023 4 0
Total 49 6

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 10 September 2013 Estadio José Antonio Anzoátegui, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela  Peru 3–1 3–2 2014 World Cup qualification
2. 5 March 2014 Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras  Honduras 1–1 2–1 Friendly
3. 24 March 2016 Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru  Peru 1–0 2–2 2018 World Cup qualification
4. 29 March 2016 Estadio Agustín Tovar, Barinas, Venezuela  Chile 1–0 1–4
5. 10 November 2016 Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela  Bolivia 5–0 5–0
6. 23 March 2017 Estadio Monumental de Maturín, Maturín, Venezuela  Peru 2–0 2–2

Honours

Caracas Atlético Mineiro

Individual

References

  1. ^ "La herencia colombiana en el fútbol venezolano" (in Spanish). El Espectador. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  2. ^ "Ensinamentos do pai e avaliação de goleiros do Atlético: a batida na bola de Otero" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Super Esportes. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  3. ^ "Caracas 1–1 Llaneros" (in Spanish). ESPN. 3 September 2009. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  4. ^ "Caracas se impuso al Zamora" (in Spanish). Caracas FC. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Cinta de capitán del Caracas tiene dueños" (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  6. ^ "Rómulo Otero ya forma parte del Huachipato" (in Spanish). Analítica. 3 August 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  7. ^ "Rómulo Otero sella un estreno soñado con el Huachipato" (in Spanish). El Impulso. 9 August 2015. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Rómulo Otero, el negocio más rentable del fútbol chileno" (in Spanish). Diario AS. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  9. ^ "Perto do fechamento da janela, Atlético-MG anuncia Otero como reforço" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 19 July 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Otero se credencia para estrear no clássico pelo Galo: "Estou preparado"" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 16 September 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  11. ^ "Galo exerce direito, acerta compra e assegura Otero até junho de 2020" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 4 April 2017. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  12. ^ "Clube árabe vai ficar em definitivo com o venezuelano Otero" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 29 November 2018.
  13. ^ "Al Wehda, da Arábia Saudita, não paga o Galo e Otero pode voltar" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 30 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Em renovação, Otero vira um dos mais bem pagos pelo Atlético-MG; "Acordado lá atrás", diz diretor" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Corinthians anuncia a contratação do meia-atacante Otero por empréstimo do Atlético-MG" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  16. ^ "Otero se despede do Corinthians: "Peço desculpas pelos momentos em que não correspondi"" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  17. ^ "Ex-Corinthians e Atlético-MG, venezuelano Otero acerta com Cruz Azul, do México" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Fortaleza acerta com o meia Otero até o fim de 2022" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Fortaleza EC. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  19. ^ "Rómulo Otero, ex-Corinthians e Atlético-MG, é anunciado pelo Aucas, do Equador" (in Brazilian Portuguese). TNT Sports. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  20. ^ "Santos FC acerta contratação de meia Otero" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  21. ^ "Otero celebra estreia com o pé direito no Santos e dedica gol aos filhos" (in Brazilian Portuguese). A Tribuna. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Rómulo Otero: "Me prometí que este era mi año"" (in Spanish). Líder en Deportes. 9 March 2013. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  23. ^ "Messi marca, Higuain faz dois, e líder Argentina vence a Venezuela" (in Brazilian Portuguese). ESPN Brasil. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  24. ^ Rómulo Otero at Soccerway. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  25. ^ "وحداويان يحصدان جائزتي شهر أكتوبر". SPL. 30 October 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2018.

External links

Santos FC – current squad
Venezuela squad – Copa América Centenario
Venezuela
Venezuela squad – 2021 Copa América
Venezuela