Joao Rodríguez (footballer)

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is González.

Joao Rodríguez

Personal information
Full name	Joao Leandro Rodríguez González
Date of birth	(1996-05-12) 12 May 1996
Place of birth	Cúcuta, Colombia
Height
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Chelsea
Youth career
2010–2011	Boca Juniors de Cali
2012	Deportes Quindío
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2013–	Chelsea	0	(0)
2013	→ Deportes Quindío (loan)	0	(0)
2014	→ Uniautónoma (loan)	6	(1)
2014	→ Bastia (loan)	5	(0)
2014	→ Bastia II (loan)	3	(1)
2015	→ Vitória (loan)	0	(0)
2015–2016	→ Sint-Truiden (loan)	10	(0)
International career
2013	Colombia U17	4	(1)
2014–	Colombia U20	13	(5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Joao Leandro Rodríguez González (born 19 May 1996) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Sint-Truidense on loan from Chelsea. He was the first Colombian to ever sign for the London club.

Career

Joao Rodríguez started part of his youth career with Colombian side Deportes Quindío. Eventually, Joao caught the eye as a prolific striker in the junior ranks of national Colombian football. His performances at the 2011 South American Under-15 Championships caught the eye of scouts worldwide, including those of Chelsea.

Chelsea

Joao spent two months on trial as an Under-16 and impressed enough to sign a pre-contract agreement for a five-year professional contract beginning on his seventeenth birthday. This made him the first Colombian in history to sign with the London club. As part of the agreement Rodríguez remained at Deportes Quindío to play for the 2012-13 season. The player officially joined Chelsea for the start of the 2013/14 season.

Loan to Uniautónoma

In January 2014 Rodríguez returned to Colombia on loan at Uniautónoma F.C.. He scored his only goal against Independiente Medellin.

Loan to Bastia

In August 2014 he joined French club SC Bastia, managed by Claude Makelele, on loan for the season. Unfortunately, he only made 4 appearances in his time at the French club before terminating his loan in January 2015 and returning to Chelsea.

Loan to Sint-Truiden

In August 2015 he joined Belgian club Sint-Truidense V.V., on loan for the season.

International career

Colombia national under-17 team

Joao has represented Colombia in the U15 side and represented Colombia during the 2013 South American Under-17 Football Championship held in Argentina. He was given the number 10 shirt. He made his debut in a 1-1 tie of the opening match against Paraguay. Throughout the group stages, Joao led Colombia to goalless draws without creating an impact. Only in the final group stage match against Argentina did he finally score his first goal. However, Colombia lost the match 3-2 and were knocked out.

Colombia national under-20 team

Joao joined the U-20 squad for the 2014 Toulon Tournament, where he scored his first goal in his debut against Brazil after being subbed in.

External links

Joao Rodríguez at Soccerway