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Nicolás Castillo
Nicolás Castillo (2016) (cropped).jpg
Castillo with Chile in 2016
Personal information
Full name Nicolás Ignacio Castillo Mora
Date of birth (1993-02-14) 14 February 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth Santiago, Chile
Height 1.79 m
Playing position Striker
Club information
Current club Universidad Católica
Number 30
Youth career
2005–2011 Universidad Católica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2014 Universidad Católica 52 (17)
2014–2016 Club Brugge 30 (10)
2015 Mainz 05 (loan) 1 (0)
2015 → Frosinone (loan) 6 (0)
2016 → Universidad Católica (loan) 23 (24)
2017–2018 UNAM 39 (25)
2018–2019 Benfica 4 (0)
2019–2021 América 24 (9)
2021 Juventude (loan) 2 (0)
2022 Necaxa 2 (0)
2024– Universidad Católica 8 (2)
National team
2013 Chile U20 11 (9)
2013–2019 Chile 24 (4)
Honours
Representing  Chile
Winner Copa América Centenario 2016
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 06:58, 15 January 2022 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 July 2019

Nicolás Ignacio Castillo Mora (born 14 February 1993) is a Chilean professional footballer who plays for Universidad Católica as a striker.

Club career

Universidad Católica

Castillo was born and raised in Renca, suburb of the capital Santiago. During his childhood, he was part of Universidad Católica's supporter groups and later joined the club's youth ranks when he was 12.

In 2010, Castillo made a goalscorer debut against San Pedro de Atacama football team for a cup game, sealing a 10–0 thrash of Católica after scoring the tenth and last goal of it.

In 2011, Castillo debuted professionally in a league match against Cobreloa, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute during a 2–0 win. On 2 March 2012, he scored his first competitive goal in a 2–0 win over Rangers, again for a league match.

As a result of his performance in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, Castillo was linked with Premier League side Manchester United, where his compatriot Ángelo Henríquez was playing at the time. Despite the rumours surrounding his move, the transfer never materialised.

Club Brugge

In January 2014, Universidad Católica reached an agreement to sell Castillo to Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge. The move became official as Castillo signed for a fee of €3 million on a deal until 2018. He scored in his debut for Club Brugge in a 3–1 win over Genk on 9 February 2014. He struggled to score again but did so during the play-offs in the last game of the season against Zulte Waregem, with Brugge winning 2–0.

On 9 November 2014, Castillo netted a hat-trick in Brugge's 5–0 home win over Westerlo. On 28 January 2015, he was loaned to 1. FSV Mainz 05 until the end of the season, with an option to buy. On 7 April, having only made one substitute appearance for the Bundesliga club, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season with damage to his right knee ligaments.

Later, on 28 August 2015, Castillo joined Italian side Frosinone on loan from Club Brugge until the end of the season.

Pumas

In 2017, Castillo joined Mexican club Pumas UNAM, where he played for a year.

Benfica

On 4 June 2018, he was sold to Portuguese side Benfica, signing a five-year contract.

América

On 1 February 2019, Castillo returned to Mexico, joining Club América on a €7 million transfer fee, potentially rising to €9 million. Nine days later, he made his league debut as a second-half substitute in América's 3–0 loss to León at the Estadio Azteca.

Esporte Clube Juventude

On 26 August 2021, Castillo joined Brazilian side Esporte Clube Juventude on loan from América until the end of the season.

International career

Castillo was listed in the 21-man squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In the tournament, he scored four goals, including an opener against Egypt, and was the top-scorer for Chile.

Castillo made his debut for the Chile senior team on 23 March 2013 in a 1–0 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONMEBOL) away loss to Peru, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Jean Beausejour.

In 2016, Castillo was nominated for the 2016 Copa América squad and was part of the Chilean victory in the tournament. He was subbed in the 104th minute of the final against Argentina, which Chile won 4–2 on penalties, where he converted the 2nd spot kick.

Career statistics

Club

Club statistics
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Universidad Católica 2011 Primera División of Chile 3 0 5 2 8 2
2012 21 8 3 2 8 2 32 12
2013 11 3 4 2 6 3 21 8
2013–14 17 6 0 0 17 6
Total 52 17 12 6 14 5 78 28
Club Brugge 2013–14 Belgian Pro League 12 2 0 0 12 2
2014–15 18 8 3 1 6 2 27 11
Total 30 10 3 1 6 2 39 13
Mainz 05 (loan) 2014–15 Bundesliga 1 0 0 0 1 0
Frosinone (loan) 2015–16 Serie A 6 0 0 0 6 0
Universidad Católica (loan) 2015–16 Primera División of Chile 11 11 0 0 11 11
2016–17 12 13 7 5 1 0 20 18
Total 23 24 7 5 1 0 31 29
Pumas UNAM 2016–17 Liga MX 11 8 0 0 2 0 13 8
2017–18 28 17 4 1 32 18
Total 39 25 4 1 2 0 45 26
Benfica 2018–19 Primeira Liga 4 0 4 0 3 0 11 0
Club América 2018–19 Liga MX 14 5 1 0 15 5
2019–20 7 4 1 0 0 0 8 4
Total 21 9 2 0 0 0 23 9
Career totals 176 85 32 13 26 7 234 105

International

National team Year Apps Goals
Chile 2013 1 0
2014 0 0
2015 0 0
2016 7 1
2017 2 0
2018 8 2
2019 6 1
Total 24 4

International goals

Scores and results list Chile's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 27 May 2016 Estadio Sausalito, Viña del Mar, Chile  Jamaica 1–2 1–2 Friendly
2. 16 October 2018 Estadio Corregidora, Querétaro City, Mexico  Mexico 1–0 1–0
3. 20 November 2018 Estadio Municipal Germán Becker, Temuco, Chile  Honduras 4–1 4–1
4. 22 March 2019 SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, United States  Mexico 1–3 1–3

Honours

Universidad Católica

Club Brugge

  • Belgian Cup: 2014–15

Benfica

América

  • Copa MX: Clausura 2019
  • Campeón de Campeones: 2019

Chile

See also

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