Yeferson Soteldo

Yeferson Julio Soteldo Martínez (pronounced [ɟʝefeɾˈson soˈteldo]; born 30 June 1997) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays for Santos, and the Venezuela national team. Although he mainly plays as a left winger, he can also play as an attacking midfielder.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Soteldo and the second or maternal family name is Martínez.
Yeferson Soteldo
Soteldo with Universidad de Chile in 2018
Personal information
Full name Yeferson Julio Soteldo Martínez
Date of birth (1997-06-30) 30 June 1997
Place of birth Acarigua, Venezuela
Height 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Winger, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Santos
Number 10
Youth career
2011–2013 Caracas
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2016 Zamora 84 (21)
2017–2018 Huachipato 22 (2)
2018 → Universidad de Chile (loan) 26 (5)
2019–2021 Santos 77 (15)
2021–2022 Toronto FC 24 (3)
2022–2023 Tigres UANL 19 (1)
2022–2023 → Santos (loan) 18 (0)
2023– Santos 6 (1)
International career‡
2017 Venezuela U20 15 (3)
2020 Venezuela U23 4 (2)
2016– Venezuela 37 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:23, 24 October 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:23, 24 October 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Zamora

Soteldo was born in Acarigua, in the Venezuelan state of Portuguesa, and as a teen moved to Caracas. After a difficult time in Caracas,[1] his early coach in Caracas FC invited him to join Zamora FC at just 16 years old. On 16 September 2013, he made his first team debut (also his 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 2015, 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.[2] He made his debut abroad on 17 February, replacing Leonardo Povea in a 2–1 home success over Universidad de Chile.[3]

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)
Soteldo in action for Universidad de Chile in 2018

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.[4] 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.[5] 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 (4–1 home win) and Goiás (3–0 away win).[6] On 11 February 2020, he renewed his contract until December 2023.[7]

Toronto FC

On 24 April 2021, Soteldo's club Santos FC confirmed that Soteldo had been sold to MLS side Toronto FC for a fee of $6.5 million. The fee covers 75% of his playing rights and enables Santos FC to avoid a transfer ban imposed by FIFA due to them failing to pay Huachipato back in 2019.[8][9] He made his debut on May 8, in a substitute appearance, against the New York Red Bulls.[10] On July 7, Soteldo scored his first goal for Toronto against the New England Revolution.[11]

Tigres

On 31 January 2022, Soteldo joined Liga MX club Tigres UANL in a transfer with Carlos Salcedo coming to Toronto in exchange.[12]

Return to Santos
Soteldo with Santos in 2022

On 11 August 2022, Santos announced the return of Soteldo on loan until July 2023, with a buyout clause.[13] However, he struggled with injuries during his second spell,[14] spending three months sidelined due to a shoulder injury in the early stages of the 2023 season.

On 16 June 2023, Santos announced that the club exercised the buyout clause on Soteldo's contract, purchasing 50% of his economic rights, and with the player signing a contract until June 2027.[15] However, he was separated from the first team squad on 1 July due to indiscipline problems,[16] but still officially signed his permanent contract six days later.[17]

On 6 August 2023, one day after the dismissal of head coach Paulo Turra, Soteldo was reinstated in the first team squad of Santos.[18] He scored his first goal after returning on 1 October, netting his team's fourth in a 4–1 home routing of Vasco da Gama; in that same match, he also stepped on the ball with both feet in an attempt to make a stunt, which led to a subsequent on-field brawl.[19]

International career

On 19 January 2016, Soteldo was called up by Venezuela national team manager Noel Sanvicente for a friendly against Costa Rica.[20] He made his full international debut on 2 February, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1–0 win in Barinas.[21]

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.[22]

Style of play

Standing at 5 feet 2 inches tall, Soteldo is a diminutive and energetic forward, who is known for his flair and pace on the ball, as well as his playmaking ability and dribbling skills; although primarily a left winger, he is also capable of playing as an attacking midfielder. Upon signing for Toronto FC in 2021, Neil Davidson of The Globe and Mail described Soteldo as a "dangerous winger who likes to take on defenders and befuddle them with his moves, Soteldo can make goals and score them." Toronto GM Ali Curtis also described him with the following words: "He’s a really shifty player. Elusive. Good in tight spaces."[23][24][25]

Career statistics

Club
As of 24 October 2023.[26]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental State League Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Zamora 2013–14 Venezuelan Primera División 300000——30
2014–15 273005[lower-alpha 1]0——323
2015 2112302[lower-alpha 2]1——2613
2016 336114[lower-alpha 2]1——388
Total 842141112——9924
Huachipato 2016–17 Chilean Primera División 8000———80
2017 14274———216
Total 22274———296
Universidad de Chile (loan) 2018 Chilean Primera División 265625[lower-alpha 1]0——377
Santos 2019 Série A 329812[lower-alpha 2]19[lower-alpha 3]1—5112
2020 2442011[lower-alpha 1]29[lower-alpha 3]1—467
2021 00005[lower-alpha 1]13[lower-alpha 3]0—81
Total 5613101184212—10520
Toronto FC 2021 Major League Soccer 2432100——264
Tigres UANL 2021–22 Liga MX 1610000——161
2022–23 300000——30
Total 1910000——191
Santos 2022 Série A 70————70
2023 131204[lower-alpha 2]04[lower-alpha 3]0—231
Total 201204040—301
Career total 251463193862520034563
  1. Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  2. Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
  3. Appearance(s) in Campeonato Paulista

International
As of 24 October 2023.[27]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Venezuela 201630
201730
201991
202030
202151
202270
202372
Total374
Scores and results list Venezuela's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Soteldo goal.[27]
List of international goals scored by Yeferson Soteldo
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
119 November 2019Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan Japan4–04–12019 Kirin Challenge Cup
22 September 2021Estadio Olímpico de la UCV, Caracas, Venezuela Argentina1–31–32022 FIFA World Cup qualification
315 June 2023Audi Field, Washington, D.C., United States Honduras1–01–0Friendly
417 October 2023Estadio Monumental, Maturín, Venezuela Chile1–03–02026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

Zamora

Santos

International
Venezuela U20

Individual

References
  1. "Soteldo: "Si no hubiese sido por el fútbol, quizás estuviese muerto"" [Soteldo: "If it was not for the football, I would probably have been dead"] (in Spanish). Meridiano Televisión. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  2. "Huachipato paga millonaria cifra por el fichaje de "la última joya venezolana"" [Huachipato pay millionaire fee for the signing of "the last Venezuelan pearl"] (in Spanish). Teletrece. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  3. "Debutó Yeferson Soteldo, el 'Messi venezolano'" [Debuted Yeferson Soteldo, the 'Venezuelan Messi'] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 18 February 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  4. "La U confirma a Soteldo, su fichaje más esperado" [La U confirm Sotelo, their most awaited signing] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  5. "Santos FC acerta contratação de venezuelano Yeferson Soteldo" [Santos FC sign Venezuelan Yeferson Soteldo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  6. "No duelo dos maiores dribladores do Brasileiro, Soteldo se agiganta" [In the duel of two best dribbles of the Brasileiro, Soteldo grows bigger] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Lance!. 9 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  7. "Santos resiste à pressão do Atlético-MG e renova com Soteldo" [Santos resist Atlético-MG's pressure and renew with Soteldo] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Globo Esporte. 11 February 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  8. Tolmich, Ryan (7 May 2021). "How Pele's 'five-dimensional' Santos successor Soteldo ended up at Toronto FC". Goal.
  9. Singh, Michael (24 April 2021). "OFFICIAL: Santos agree to sell Yeferson Soteldo to Toronto FC". Waking the Red.
  10. "Toronto FC still searching for 1st league win after being run down by Red Bulls". CBC. 8 May 2021.
  11. "Toronto FC halts New England's comeback attempt, snap 6-game losing streak". CBC. 8 July 2021.
  12. "Toronto FC acquires defender Carlos Salcedo, transfers Yeferson Soteldo". Sportsnet. 31 January 2022.
  13. "Yeferson Soteldo está de volta ao Santos FC" [Yeferson Soteldo is back at Santos FC] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  14. "Santos adota cautela e define estratégia para compra de Soteldo" [Santos are cautious and set strategy for Soteldo's purchase] (in Brazilian Portuguese). UOL Esporte. 13 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  15. "Santos FC exerce direito de compra de Soteldo e atleta fica no Peixe até 2027" [Santos FC exercise buyout clause of Soteldo and athlete stays at Peixe until 2027] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 16 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  16. "Nota oficial" [Official note] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Santos FC. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  17. "Afastado, Soteldo assina contrato com o Santos até junho de 2027" [Separated from the squad, Soteldo signs contract with Santos until June 2027] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  18. "Soteldo é reintegrado e volta a treinar com elenco do Santos nesta segunda-feira" [Soteldo is reinstated and returns to train with the squad of Santos this Monday] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 6 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  19. "Acrobacia de Soteldo revolta jogadores e gera três expulsões em confusão no Santos x Vasco; vídeo" [Soteldo's stunt revolts players and generates three dismissals in a brawl at Santos vs Vasco; video] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 1 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  20. "Venezuela convoca a 23 jugadores para amistoso con Costa Rica" [Venezuela call up 23 players for friendly with Costa Rica] (in Spanish). El Comercio. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  21. "Venezuela ganó 1–0 a Costa Rica en amistoso previo a Eliminatorias" [Venezuela defeated Costa Rica by 1–0 in friendly prior to the qualifiers] (in Spanish). Depor. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
  22. "Soteldo sustituirá a Peñaranda en lista de la Vinotinto para la Copa América" [Soteldo will replace Peñaranda in the list of the Vinotinto for the Copa América] (in Spanish). El Universal. 8 June 2019. Retrieved 10 June 2019.
  23. Davidson, Neil (26 April 2021). "Toronto FC confirms signing of Venezuelan international winger Yeferson Soteldo". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  24. Campo, Carlo. "Class of 2018: The South American youngsters destined for Europe". theScore.com. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  25. Kloke, Joshua (27 April 2021). "How Toronto FC landed Yeferson Soteldo, and what he brings to MLS". The Athletic. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  26. Yeferson Soteldo at Soccerway. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  27. "Yeferson Soteldo". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  28. "Jugadores fueron premiados en la Primera Gala de la AUFP Venezuela" [Players were awarded in the Primera Gala de la AUFP Venezuela] (in Spanish). Balonazos. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  29. "Yeferson Soteldo recibió doble premio como Mejor Extranjero en Chile" [Yeferson Sotelo received doubled award as the Best Foreigner in Chile] (in Spanish). El Nacional. 13 December 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  30. "Soteldo acapara premios" [Sotelo monopolizes awards] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 29 November 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
  31. "Seleção do Paulistão tem representantes de seis equipes e dois comandantes" [Paulistão's Best XI have representatives of six teams and two managers] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Federação Paulista de Futebol. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  32. "Campeão, Palmeiras domina seleção da Libertadores com seis jogadores; Santos tem três" [Champion, Palmeiras dominate the Best XI of the Libertadores with six players; Santos have three] (in Brazilian Portuguese). GloboEsporte.com. 1 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  33. "Troféu Mesa Redonda 2022 – Vote e Escolha". trofeumesaredonda.com.br. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
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