Rodrigo Vilca
{{short description|Peruvian footballer (born 1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Vilca|Betetta|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Rodrigo Vilca
|image =
|caption =
|fullname = Rodrigo Gary Vilca Betetta{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1869523|title=2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed|publisher=Premier League|date=20 October 2020|accessdate=25 October 2020}}
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|3|12|df=y}}
|birth_place = Callao, Lima, Peru{{WorldFootball|rodrigo-vilca}}
|currentclub = Atlético Grau
|clubnumber = 25
|position = Midfielder
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = San Vicente
|youthyears2 =
|youthclubs2 = Blue Rays
|youthyears3 =
|youthclubs3 = Sporting Diez
|youthyears4 =
|youthclubs4 = Sporting Cristal
|youthyears5 = 2013–2016
|youthclubs5 = Universidad César Vallejo
|youthyears6 = 2017–2018
|youthclubs6 = Deportivo Municipal
|years1 = 2018–2020 |clubs1 = Deportivo Municipal |caps1 = 27 |goals1 = 4
|years2 = 2020–2024 |clubs2 = Newcastle United |caps2 = 0 |goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2021 |clubs3 = → Doncaster Rovers (loan) |caps3 = 10 |goals3 = 1
|years4 = 2022 |clubs4 = → Universitario (loan) |caps4 = 22 |goals4 = 1
|years5 = 2023–2024 |clubs5 = → Voždovac (loan) |caps5 = 16 |goals5 = 2
|years6 = 2025– |clubs6 = Atlético Grau |caps6 = 6 |goals6 = 2
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|club-update = 23 June 2024 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update =
}}
Rodrigo Gary Vilca Betetta (born 12 March 1999) is a Peruvian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Atlético Grau.
Early life
Born in Callao in the Lima metropolitan area of Peru, Vilca emigrated to Spain at the age of three.{{cite web|url=https://once.pe/rodrigo-vilca-me-siento-con-posibilidades-mi-momento-llegara/|title=Rodrigo Vilca: "Me siento con posibilidades, mi momento llegará"|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca: “I feel like I have possibilities, my moment will come”|first=Daniel|last=Yaipén|date=13 September 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=once.pe|language=es}}
Club career
=Early career=
Having played youth football in Spain with San Vicente in Albacete, and also training in the academy of former footballer José Zalazar, his father decided to return to Peru, taking Vilca with him, in 2010. Having settled in Gambetta, Callao, Vilca began his career in Peru with a team named Blue Rays in Rímac. From there he moved on to Sporting Diez, and began training with professional side Sporting Cristal on a monthly basis. After a four-year spell with Universidad César Vallejo, Vilca joined the academy of Deportivo Municipal at the age of seventeen.
Having suffered two fractures, to his foot in 2017 and to his collarbone the following year, Vilca made his professional debut for Deportivo Municipal in the final game of the 2018 season, starting in a 2–0 loss to Sport Huancayo. He began to establish himself in the following season, and was set to become a key player for the team in 2020, before the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Peru led to a five-month hiatus of the league.{{cite web|url=https://trome.com/deportes/rodrigo-vilca-entrevista-adrian-zela-noticia/|title=Rodrigo Vilca: "Chocaba con Adrián Zela y salía volando"|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca: “He collided with Adrián Zela and flew away”|first=Carlos|last=Bernuy|date=28 April 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=trome.com|language=es}}
=Newcastle United=
In September 2020, it was reported by English newspaper the Daily Mail that Vilca was close to signing with Premier League side Newcastle United.{{cite web|url=https://peru.as.com/peru/2020/09/17/futbol/1600354871_011691.html|title=Rodrigo Vilca, muy cerca de fichar por el Newcastle|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca, very close to signing for Newcastle|first=Dan|last=Lerner|date=17 September 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=peru.as.com|language=es}} The following month, on 5 October, this transfer was confirmed by Newcastle United, with Vilca signing a four-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/peruvian-youngster-rodrigo-vilca-joins-newcastle-united/|title=Peruvian youngster Rodrigo Vilca joins Newcastle United|date=5 October 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=nufc.co.uk}} He began training with the first-team squad immediately, in part because of absences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web|url=https://libero.pe/futbol-internacional/1587720-rodrigo-vilca-viene-entrenando-primer-equipo-newcastle-premier-league-municipal|title=Rodrigo Vilca viene entrenando con el primer equipo del Newcastle|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca has been training with the Newcastle first team|date=9 October 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=libero.pe|language=es}} On 19 October, he made his debut with Newcastle's under-23 side, starting against Fulham in the Premier League 2, before scoring his first goal for the youth side in a 3–2 loss to Reading on 30 October.{{cite web|url=https://elpopular.pe/deportes/2020/10/19/premier-league-rodrigo-vilca-debuto-triunfo-newcastle-united-2-1-fulham-peruanos-extranjero-futbol-internacional-noticias-foto-34045|title=Rodrigo Vilca y su debut soñado: Newcastle United ganó 2-1 al Fulham por la Premier League 2|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca and his dream debut: Newcastle United beat Fulham 2-1 in the Premier League 2|date=19 October 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=elpopular.pe|language=es}}{{cite web|url=https://www.futbolperuano.com/peruanos-en-el-exterior/noticias/rodrigo-vilca-marco-su-primer-gol-con-newcastle-u-23-en-derrota-de-su-equipo-ante-reading-284888|title=Rodrigo Vilca marcó su primer gol con Newcastle U-23 en derrota de su equipo ante Reading|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca scored his first goal for Newcastle U-23 in his team's defeat against Reading|date=30 October 2020|access-date=22 September 2023|website=futbolperuano.com|language=es}}
==Loan to Doncaster Rovers==
The following season, after three appearances for Newcastle's under-21 side, Vilca joined EFL League One side Doncaster Rovers on 31 August 2021, signing a short-term loan deal until January.{{cite web|url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2021/august/rovers-sign-newcastle-winger-vilca-on-loan/|title=Rovers sign Newcastle winger Vilca on loan|date=31 August 2021|access-date=22 September 2023|website=doncasterroversfc.co.uk}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/vilca-joins-doncaster-rovers-on-loan/|title=Vilca joins Doncaster Rovers on loan|date=31 August 2021|access-date=22 September 2023|website=nufc.co.uk}} He was immediately integrated into the first team, and made his debut as a starter a week after joining; playing at left-wing in an EFL Trophy tie against Rotherham United, he was replaced in the second half by Dan Gardner as Doncaster Rovers lost 6–0 on 7 September.{{cite web|url=https://elcomercio.pe/deporte-total/futbol-mundial/rodrigo-vilca-debuto-como-titular-en-inglaterra-con-doncaster-vs-rotherham-por-la-efl-trophy-peruanos-en-el-extranjero-nczd-noticia/|title=Rodrigo Vilca debutó como titular en la goleada que sufrió Doncaster en Inglaterra|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca made his debut as a starter in the rout that Doncaster suffered in England|date=7 September 2021|access-date=22 September 2023|website=elcomercio.pe|language=es}}
He scored his first and only goal for the club on 23 October 2021; having started in an EFL League One fixture against Cheltenham Town, he received a pass from Ben Close before skipping past a Cheltenham Town defender and finishing past goalkeeper Scott Flinders as Doncaster Rovers went on to win 3–2.{{cite web|url=https://larepublica.pe/deportes/2021/10/25/newcastle-united-destaco-a-rodrigo-vilca-por-su-primer-gol-en-inglaterra-con-doncaster-rovers|title=Newcastle destacó a Rodrigo Vilca por su primer gol en Inglaterra con Doncaster Rovers|trans-title=Newcastle highlighted Rodrigo Vilca for his first goal in England with Doncaster Rovers|date=25 October 2021|access-date=22 September 2023|website=larepublica.pe|language=es}} His loan ended at the end of 2021, with Vilca thanking fans for their support and wishing the club well for the rest of the season.{{cite web|url=https://depor.com/futbol-peruano/peruanos-en-el-mundo/rodrigo-vilca-no-va-mas-en-doncaster-rovers-peruano-se-despidio-asi-del-equipo-nczd-noticia/|title=Rodrigo Vilca no va más en Doncaster Rovers: peruano se despidió así del equipo|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca is no longer at Doncaster Rovers: the Peruvian said goodbye to the team|date=29 December 2021|access-date=22 September 2023|website=depor.com|language=es}}
==Loan to Universitario==
On 11 March 2022, having briefly returned to Newcastle's under-21 side, Vilca was loaned to Universitario in his native Peru until the end of the 2022 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.directvsports.com/noticia/Rodrigo-Vilca-dejo-Inglaterra-y-llego-a-la-U-Vengo-a-lograr-grandes-cosas-20220311-0012.html|title=Rodrigo Vilca dejó Inglaterra y llegó a la U: "Vengo a lograr grandes cosas"|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca left England and came to the U: “I come to achieve great things”|date=11 March 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=directvsports.com|language=es}} He made his debut the following day, coming on as a second-half substitute for Hernán Novick in an eventual 1–1 draw with Cienciano.{{cite web|url=https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/universitario/2022/03/12/rodrigo-vilca-luego-empate-universitario-es-debut-amargo-necesitabamos-ganar-i-liga-1-betsson-2022-47125|title=Rodrigo Vilca luego del empate de Universitario: "Es un debut amargo, necesitábamos ganar"|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca after Universitario's draw: "It's a bitter debut, we needed to win"|date=12 March 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=libero.pe|language=es}} He was criticised by media in Peru for missing what was seen as a good chance to make the score 2–1 to Universitario.{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/03/13/rodrigo-vilca-fallo-increible-ocasion-de-gol-en-el-universitario-vs-cienciano-por-la-liga-1/|title=Rodrigo Vilca falló increíble ocasión de gol en el Universitario vs Cienciano por la Liga 1|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca missed an incredible scoring opportunity in the Universitario vs Cienciano in Liga 1|date=12 March 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=infobae.com|language=es}} On 10 April he was sent off for a stamp on Ayacucho midfielder Juan Morales in Universitario's 2–1 win.{{cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/futbol/descentralizado/video-universitario-de-deportes-vs-ayacucho-fc-rodrigo-vilca-fue-expulsado-tras-pisar-a-rival-noticia-1398699|title=Rodrigo Vilca fue expulsado tras pisar a rival: Universitario se quedó con 10 ante Ayacucho FC|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca was sent off after stepping on an opponent: Universitario was left with 10 men against Ayacucho FC|date=10 April 2022|access-date=6 May 2025|website=rpp.pe|language=es}}
He scored his first goal for the club on 24 July 2022, as Universitario beat Carlos Stein 2–0 in the Peruvian Primera División.{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/peru/2022/07/24/rodrigo-vilca-anoto-gol-luego-de-un-incisivo-contragolpe-para-universitario-ante-carlos-stein-por-liga-1/|title=Rodrigo Vilca anotó su primer gol con Universitario luego de un incisivo contragolpe ante Carlos Stein por Liga 1|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca scored his first goal with Universitario after an incisive counterattack against Carlos Stein in Liga 1|date=24 July 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=infobae.com|language=es}} Following Universitario's 2–0 away win against Alianza Lima on 4 September 2022, Vilca, as well as physio Guido Thompson, were hit by objects thrown by Alianza fans from the stands. Universitario issued a statement following the incident, requesting punishment for their opponents.{{cite web|url=https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/universitario/2022/09/04/universitario-pide-sancion-alianza-lima-agresion-rodrigo-vilca-su-preparador-fisico-77833|title=Universitario pide sanción para Alianza tras la agresión a Vilca y su preparador físico|trans-title=Universitario request sanction for Alianza after the attack on Vilca and his physical trainer|date=5 September 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=libero.pe|language=es}}
Vilca was criticised by sports journalist {{ill|Erick Osores|es}} following Universitario's 0–0 draw with Sporting Cristal on 9 October 2022, with Osores stating that Vilca should not have come on as a substitute because he is a "ghost", alluding to a perceived inability to have an impact on the match.{{cite web|url=https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/2022/10/09/universitario-deportes-erick-osores-indica-rodrigo-vilca-es-fantasma-83409|title=Erick Osores arremetió contra Rodrigo Vilca: "Es un fantasma" - VIDEO|trans-title=Erick Osores attacked Rodrigo Vilca: "He is a ghost" - VIDEO|date=9 October 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=libero.pe|language=es}} This would prove to be his last game for the club, as the following month Universitario announced that Vilca would be returning to Newcastle, and would not be part of the squad the following season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.co/futbol/peru/nota/_/id/11181965/universitario-anuncio-que-rodrigo-vilca-no-seguira|title=Universitario de Deportes anunció la salida de Rodrigo Vilca|trans-title=Universitario de Deportes announced the departure of Rodrigo Vilca|date=4 November 2022|access-date=22 September 2023|website=espn.com.co|language=es}}
==Loan to Voždovac==
Vilca returned once again to Newcastle, featuring in a number of games for their under-21 squad as an over-age player, in early 2023. In June of the same year, he was linked with a move back to Spain, and was reportedly close to joining Albacete.{{cite web|url=https://www.elfutbolero.com.pe/porelmundo/Rodrigo-Vilca-se-harto-de-Newcastle-y-ficha-por-increible-equipo-espanol-20230622-0001.html|title=Rodrigo Vilca se hartó de Newcastle y ficha por increíble equipo español|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca got fed up with Newcastle and signs for an incredible Spanish team|first=Bruno Isrrael|last=Uceda Castro|date=22 June 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|website=elfutbolero.com.pe|language=es}} Instead, he moved on a season-long loan to Serbian SuperLiga side FK Voždovac on 5 September 2023.{{cite web|url=https://fkvozdovac.rs/vesti/iz-njukasla-na-krov-svraka-postala-zmaj/|title=Iz Njukasla na Krov – Svraka postala Zmaj|trans-title=From Newcastle to the Roof - The Magpie became the Dragon|date=5 September 2023|access-date=22 September 2023|website=fkvozdovac.rs|language=sr}} After the end of this loan, in June 2024, Newcastle informed that Vilca's contract would not be extended,{{Cite web |date=30 May 2024 |title=Academy. Newcastle United confirms Academy retained list |url=https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/newcastle-united-confirms-academy-retained-list1 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=Newcastle United}} and he became a free agent.
=Atlético Grau=
On 5 December 2024, Peruvian Primera División club Atlético Grau announced that Vilca would be signing for them ahead of the 2025 season.{{cite web|url=https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-rodrigo-vilca-regresa-inglaterra-para-unirse-a-atletico-grau-la-temporada-2025-1010557.aspx|title=Rodrigo Vilca regresa de Inglaterra para unirse a Atlético Grau en la temporada 2025|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca returns from England to join Atlético Grau for the 2025 season|date=6 December 2024|access-date=6 May 2025|website=andina.pe|language=es}} He scored his first goal in Grau's 1–0 win against Ayacucho on 8 February 2025.{{cite web|url=https://desdelacancha.pe/rodrigo-vilca-le-da-el-triunfo-a-atletico-grau/|title=Rodrigo Vilca le da el triunfo a Atlético Grau|trans-title=Rodrigo Vilca gives Atlético Grau the win|date=8 February 2025|access-date=6 May 2025|website=desdelacancha.pe|language=es}}
International career
Vilca was called up to the Peruvian under-18 side for a microcycle in 2017. Despite his good form at club level, he missed out on a place in the Peruvian Olympic Team ahead of the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament due to the form of fellow right-wingers Kevin Quevedo, Kevin Sandoval and Fernando Pacheco.{{cite web|url=https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/seleccion-peruana/1521752-seleccion-peruana-sub-23-bajas-confirmadas-por-nolberto-solano-para-preolimpico-de-colombia-2020|title=Selección Peruana Sub-23: Los grandes olvidados por Solano para el Preolímpico 2020 [FOTOS]|trans-title=Peruvian U-23 National Team: The greats forgotten by Solano for the 2020 Pre-Olympic [PHOTOS]|date=28 November 2019|access-date=22 September 2023|website=libero.pe|language=es}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|6 May 2025}}{{Soccerway|rodrigo-gary-vilca-betetta/584839|accessdate=19 September 2020}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Cup{{efn|Includes Copa Perú, FA Cup and Serbian Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Deportivo Municipal
|2018 |rowspan=3|Peruvian Primera División |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019
|13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2020
|13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!27 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 4 | |
| rowspan="3"|Newcastle United
|rowspan="2"|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Newcastle United U20
|colspan="1"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Doncaster Rovers (loan)
|10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 2{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 12 | 1 | ||
| Universitario (loan)
|2022 |22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| Voždovac (loan)
|16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Atlético Grau
|2025 |6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|name=CS|Appearances in the Copa Sudamericana}} | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!71 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 89 | 10 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vilca, Rodrigo}}
Category:Footballers from Callao
Category:Peruvian men's footballers
Category:21st-century Peruvian sportsmen
Category:Peruvian emigrants to Spain
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Peruvian Primera División players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Sporting Cristal footballers
Category:Club Deportivo Universidad César Vallejo footballers
Category:Deportivo Municipal footballers
Category:Newcastle United F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Club Universitario de Deportes footballers
Category:Peruvian expatriate men's footballers
Category:Peruvian expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England