Yeferson Soteldo


Yeferson Julio Soteldo Martínez is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays for Brazilian club Santos and the Venezuela national team. Mainly a left winger, he can also play as an attacking midfielder.

Club career

Zamora

Soteldo was born in Acarigua, and joined Zamora FC's youth setup at the age of 14, from Caracas FC. On 16 September 2013, aged just 16, he made his first team – and Primera División – debut, coming on as a late substitute for Jhon Murillo in a 0–0 home draw against Atlético Venezuela.
Soteldo became a regular starter for Zamora from the 2014–15 season onwards, and scored his first professional goal on 28 January 2015, netting the opener in a 4–2 home win against Carabobo FC. On 20 May, he scored a brace in a 3–2 home defeat of Mineros de Guayana. In the 2015 campaign, he played a key role by scoring twelve goals as his side lifted the Primera División trophy.

Huachipato

On 20 December 2016, Soteldo joined Chilean Primera División side Huachipato for a fee of € 1.5 million. He made his debut abroad on 17 February, replacing Leonardo Povea in a 2–1 home success over Universidad de Chile.
Soteldo scored his first goal abroad on 22 July 2017, netting his team's third in a 4–0 home routing of Deportes Valdivia, for the year's Copa Chile.

Universidad de Chile (loan)

On 11 January 2018, Soteldo joined fellow top tier side Universidad de Chile on a one-year loan deal. La U paid US$ 1.5 million fee for the loan, with a buyout clause of 50% of his rights set on US$3.5 million. A regular starter, he contributed with 26 league appearances and five goals.

Santos

On 12 January 2019, Soteldo agreed to a four-year contract with Série A side Santos FC. He made his debut for the club twelve days later, replacing Felippe Cardoso and scoring his team's third in a 4–0 away routing of São Bento, for the year's Campeonato Paulista.
Soteldo soon became an undisputed starter under Jorge Sampaoli, scoring two braces in the month of November, against Botafogo and Goiás. On 11 February 2020, he renewed his contract until December 2023.

International career

On 19 January 2016, Soteldo was called up by Venezuela national team manager Noel Sanvicente for a friendly against Costa Rica. He made his full international debut on 2 February, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 win in Barinas.
Soteldo was initially out of Rafael Dudamel's final 23-man list for the 2019 Copa América, but was called up on 8 June to replace injured Adalberto Peñaranda.

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.19 November 2019Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan4–04-12019 Kirin Challenge Cup

Honours

Club

Zamora