Raul Loaiza

Raul Alberto Loaiza Morelos (born 8 June 1994) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Defensa y Justicia.

Club Career

Having spent part of his youth career with Academia Crespo, Loaiza began his senior career with Patriotas of Categoria Primera A. His professional debut came on 2 February 2013 during a 1–1 draw with Boyaca Chico, which was the first of thirteen appearances in all competitions during the 2013 Categoria Primera A season. He scored two goals in the subsequent campaign, notably netting his first in a win against Atletico Huila in February 2014; the other came two months later in a 2–2 versus Envigado. He remained with Patriotas for the next three campaigns, taking his total appearance tally for them to one hundred and twenty-nine.

2017 saw Atletico Nacional complete the signing of Loaiza. Thirty-one appearances followed across 2017 and 2018. In December 2018, Loaiza agreed a loan move to San Lorenzo of the Argentine Primera Division; effective from January 2019. He played seventeen times for them. On 25 July, Loaiza penned a permanent contract with fellow Argentine top-flight team Defensa y Justicia; signing for three years.

International Career

Loaiza represented the Colombia U23s at international level under manager Carlos Restrepo. He was part of the squad that won a 2015 international friendly tournament in China. In May 2019, Loaiza received his first call-up to the senior team from Carlos Queiroz ahead of the Copa America in Brazil.

This page also has a version in other languages :  Рауль Лоайса (russian)