Bernardo Espinosa


Bernardo José Espinosa Zúñiga is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Spanish club Girona.

Club career

Sevilla

Born in Cali, Espinosa finished his football formation in Spain with Sevilla FC. After appearing in one game for the B-team in 2007–08, he proceeded to play a further three full seasons with the B's, one in Segunda División and two in Segunda División B, only starting regularly in his last.
Espinosa made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 11 May 2011, playing 90 minutes in a 2–3 away loss against CA Osasuna. In the ensuing summer, he was loaned to fellow league club Racing de Santander in a season-long move.
Espinosa scored his first top-flight goal for the Cantabrians on 7 January 2012, heading home the game's only in a home win against Real Zaragoza.

Sporting Gijón

On 26 December 2012, after not featuring at all for Sevilla in the first half of the campaign, Espinosa was loaned to Sporting de Gijón in the second level. The following 26 June he signed a permanent three-year contract, scoring three goals while only missing one game in 42 in the 2014–15 campaign to help the Asturians return to the top division after three years.
Espinosa missed the second part of 2015–16, due to a serious knee injury.

Middlesbrough

On 15 June 2016, at the expiration of his contract, Espinosa joined newly promoted Premier League side Middlesbrough on a three-year deal. Still recovering from his anterior cruciate ligament ailment when he arrived, he gained regular playing time during the second half of the season, being third-choice in his position behind Calum Chambers and Ben Gibson.

Girona

On 7 July 2017, after being relegated, Espinosa signed with Girona FC for an undisclosed fee. He was an undisputed starter during his two seasons at the club, suffering relegation at the end of his second.

Espanyol

On 6 July 2019, Bernardo was loaned to RCD Espanyol of the top tier for one year, with a buyout clause. He scored his first competitive goal on 27 October, the only in an away victory over Levante UD.

International career

In November 2015, Espinosa was named in Colombia's squad for a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Argentina, but eventually did not make his debut. He was called up again in March 2018, for friendlies against France and Australia.
Espinosa was named in a preliminary 35-man squad for the finals in Russia, but he did not make the final cut.

Career statistics

Honours

Individual