Omar Jesús Merlo (Spanish pronunciation: [oˈmaɾ ˈmeɾlo], born 12 June 1987) is an Argentine-born Chilean professional footballer that currently plays for Peruvian club Sporting Cristal as a centre back.
![]() Omar Merlo allowing himself to be photographed with a steelworker fan | |||
Personal information | |||
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Full name | Omar Jesús Merlo | ||
Date of birth | (1987-06-12) 12 June 1987 (age 35) | ||
Place of birth | Santa Fe, Argentina | ||
Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
Position(s) | Centre back | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Sporting Cristal | ||
Number | 5 | ||
Youth career | |||
2001–2007 | Colón | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2010 | Colón | 25 | (1) |
2008 | → River Plate (loan) | 2 | (1) |
2010 | Platense | 5 | (0) |
2011 | Unión San Felipe | 36 | (2) |
2012–2017 | Huachipato | 163 | (6) |
2018– | Sporting Cristal | 41 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 January 2018 |
Merlo made his first team debut for Colón in 2006, and quickly established himself as a regular member of the first team squad. In February 2008, he signed up with powerhouse team River Plate, where he won the Torneo Clausura. Seasons later, Merlo was a key player at the squad of Primera División club Huachipato that earned 2012 Torneo Clausura, scoring the winning penalty in the final.
Merlo naturalized Chilean by residence when he was a player of Huachipato.[1]
2012 Primera División Team of the Tournament | |
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Sporting Cristal – current squad | |
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