Diego Nicolás Gutiérrez Zúñiga (born February 18, 1997) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a midfielder for Cavalry FC in the Canadian Premier League.
 Gutiérrez Zúñiga (right) in 2022 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Diego Nicolás Gutiérrez Zúñiga | ||
| Date of birth | February 18, 1997 | ||
| Place of birth | Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Cavalry FC | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Colo-Colo | |||
| Palestino | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2019 | Palestino | 8 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | Valour FC | 30 | (0) |
| 2021 | Barnechea | 12 | (1) |
| 2022–2023 | Valour FC | 49 | (4) |
| 2024– | Cavalry FC | 27 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2017 | Canada U20 | 3 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 19, 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of May 11, 2017 | |||
Early life
editGutiérrez was born to Chilean parents in Greenfield Park, Quebec in Canada and moved to Santiago in Chile when he was three years old.[1] He began playing soccer at age five in the Colo-Colo academy.[1] Afterwards, he joined the youth setup of Palestino.[2][3]
Club career
editOn November 6, 2015, Gutiérrez made his senior league debut for Palestino against Deportes Antofagasta.[4] He departed the club in March 2019.[5]
In March 2019, Gutiérrez signed a deal with Canadian Premier League club Valour FC.[6] After the season, the club exercised his option for the 2020 season.[7]
In March 2021, Gutiérrez returned to Chile, signing with Primera B side Barnechea.[8]
In December 2021, Gutiérrez returned for a second spell at Valour FC for the 2022 season.[9][10] He was named the league's Player of the Month in April 2023.[11] After not scoring in his first three seasons with Valour (across both stints), he netted four goals in the 2023 season.[12] After the 2023 season, he chose to depart the club, after declining an extension offer.[13][14]
In January 2024, he signed with Cavalry FC on a two-year contract, with an option for 2026.[15][16]
International career
editEligible to represent both Canada and Chile internationally, Gutiérrez was called up to the Chile U20 team in June 2016 for a pair of friendlies against Paraguay.[17] However, he did not play in either match.[18]
In January 2017, Gutiérrez was called up to a camp for the Canadian U20 team for the first time.[1] He made his debut against the Panama U20 in a friendly on January 20.[citation needed] He subsequently made the roster for the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship,[19] where he made two appearances.[20]
Personal life
editHis twin brother Cristián is also a professional soccer player.[21]
Honours
editPalestino
References
edit- ^ a b c Diego Gutiérrez at the Canadian Soccer Association
- ^ McColl, Michael (January 22, 2020). "Move to Whitecaps and MLS not really a return home for Cristian Gutiérrez but it is an important "next stage" in his footballing growth". Away from the Numbers.
- ^ Saelhof, Todd (January 2, 2024). "Cavalry FC brings 'intelligent' midfielder Diego Gutierrez into force". Calgary Herald.
- ^ "Joven defensa de Palestino y hermano gemelo de Cristián Gutiérrez fue citado para jugar por la Sub 20 de Canadá" [Young defender from Palestino and twin brother of Cristián Gutiérrez was summoned to play for the Canadian U20]. El Mercurio (in Spanish). February 11, 2017.
- ^ Munizaga, Sebastián (March 4, 2019). "El chileno-canadiense Diego Gutiérrez deja Palestino y parte al Valour FC de Canadá" [Chilean-Canadian Diego Gutiérrez leaves Palestino and joins Valour FC in Canada]. RedGol (in Spanish).
- ^ "Valour FC sign Canadian youth international Diego Gutierrez". Canadian Premier League. March 4, 2019.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 16, 2020). "Valour FC Re-Signs Dylan Carreiro And Diego Gutierrez". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Jacques, John (March 3, 2021). "Diego Gutierrez Signs For Chilean Side AC Barnechea". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Valour FC signs Canadian midfielder Diego Gutiérrez". Valour FC. December 21, 2021.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 21, 2021). "Diego Gutierrez Completes Valour Return". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Tierney, Mitchell (May 4, 2023). "Valour FC's Diego Gutiérrez named CPL Player of the Month for April". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ Tierney, Mitchell (January 2, 2023). "All-action: Why midfielder Diego Gutiérrez is a perfect fit with Cavalry FC". Canadian Premier League.
- ^ "Valour FC announce 7 departures including Gutierrez, de Brienne". Canadian Premier League. December 20, 2023.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 20, 2023). "Big Shoes To Fill: Gutierrez And De Brienne Leave Valour FC". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "Cavalry FC Signs Diego Gutierrez to 2024 Roster". Cavalry FC. January 2, 2024.
- ^ Jacques, John (January 2, 2024). "Valour Captain Diego Gutierrez Comes To Cavalry". Northern Tribune.
- ^ "La Roja sub 20 practicó por última vez antes de viajar a Paraguay" [The Roja Under 20 practiced for the last time before travelling to Paraguay]. Football Federation of Chile (in Spanish). June 20, 2016.
- ^ Jacques, John (December 20, 2021). "Rumour: Gutierrez Poised For Valour Return". Northern Tribune.
- ^ Brisendine, Steve (February 9, 2017). "Canada names 20-man squad for CONCACAF U-20 Championship". Major League Soccer.
- ^ Tait, Ed (December 21, 2021). ""As soon as I came in, I knew he was a guy that I wanted to bring back to the club." - Gutiérrez returns to the club for 2022". Valour FC.
- ^ Tait, Ed (March 3, 2023). ""He's grown in leadership with the team." - Diego Gutierrez". Valour FC.
External links
edit- Diego Gutiérrez at the Canadian Soccer Association
- Diego Gutiérrez at Soccerway