Francisco Silva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Francisco Silva

Silva playing for Chile in 2017
Personal information
Full name	Francisco Andrés Silva Gajardo
Date of birth	(1986-02-11) 11 February 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Quillota, Chile
Height	1.78 m
Playing position	Defensive midfielder
Club information
Current club	Universidad Católica
Number	6
Youth career
1998–1999	Colo-Colo
2000–2005	Universidad Católica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005–2013	Universidad Católica	136	(5)
2005	→ Ovalle (loan)
2007	→ Osorno (loan)	33	(1)
2013–2015	Osasuna	47	(1)
2014–2015	→ Club Brugge (loan)	11	(0)
2015–2016	Chiapas	28	(0)
2016–2018	Cruz Azul	54	(7)
2018–2019	Independiente	10	(0)
2019–	Universidad Católica	8	(0)
National team‡
2007–2018	Chile	37	(0)
Honours Representing  Chile Winner Copa América 2015 Winner Copa América Centenario 2016 Runner-up FIFA Confederations Cup 2017
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 1 August 2019. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 28 June 2017

Francisco Andrés Silva Gajardo, known simply as Francisco Silva, is a talented Chilean footballer. He was born on February 11, 1986. He plays as a defensive midfielder for Universidad Católica. This position means he helps protect the team's defense and win the ball back.

Silva's Club Journey

Francisco Silva started his football journey in Quillota, Chile. He joined the youth team of Universidad Católica in 2000 when he was 14.

Early Career and Loans

In 2005, Silva began playing professionally. He was loaned to Deportes Ovalle to gain experience. The next year, he played a couple of times for Universidad Católica's main team. In 2007, he went on loan again to Osorno. He played a big part in helping Osorno get promoted to a higher league.

After returning to Universidad Católica, Silva became a regular player. He scored his first goal for the team on November 7, 2009. It was in a big 4–1 win against Universidad Concepción.

Playing in Europe: Spain and Belgium

In 2013, Silva moved to Spain to play for La Liga team CA Osasuna. He joined them on loan in January. His first game was on February 2, a 1–0 win against Celta de Vigo. On March 8, he scored his first goal for Osasuna. Later, Osasuna decided to buy him permanently for €1.2 million. He played many games for them during the 2013–14 season.

In August 2014, Silva was loaned to Club Brugge KV in Belgium. He played for them for a season. After that, in July 2015, he moved to Chiapas in Mexico.

International Career with Chile

Francisco Silva made his first appearance for the Chile national team on January 22, 2011. It was a 1–1 draw against the United States.

He wasn't originally chosen for Chile's 2015 Copa América squad. However, he was added to the team because another player, Edson Puch, got injured.

A very memorable moment for Silva was in the Copa América Centenario Final on June 26, 2016. He scored the winning goal in a penalty shootout against Argentina. This helped Chile win the tournament!

Silva's Football Achievements

Francisco Silva has won several important titles with his clubs and the national team.

Club Trophies

Osorno

• Primera B de Chile: 2007 (This is a second-tier league in Chile)

Universidad Católica

• Primera División de Chile (3): 2010, 2019, 2020 (This is the top league in Chile)
• Copa Chile: 2011 (A cup competition in Chile)
• Supercopa de Chile (1): 2020 (A super cup in Chile)

Club Brugge

• Belgian Cup: 2014–15 (A cup competition in Belgium)

Independiente

• Suruga Bank Championship: 2018 (An international club competition)

International Trophies

Chile

• Copa América (2): 2015, 2016 (South America's main football tournament)
• FIFA Confederations Cup: Runner-up 2017 (A tournament for continental champions)

See also

In Spanish: Francisco Silva para niños