# Diego Valencia

Diego Martín Valencia Morello (born 14 January 2000) is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Universidad Católica and the Chile national team .

## Club career
### Early years

As a youth player, Valencia was with Academia La Serena before joining the Universidad Católica youth system.

### Universidad Catolica

Valencia debuted the year 2018 in the match against Deportes Iquique in San Carlos de Apoquindo, on the following date, gave assistance for the goal of the draw against Palestinian in La Cisterna. in the year 2018 he converted his first goals, in the triumph of Catolica against Coquimbo Unido, a match that was also his debut as a starter in the team.

### Salernitana

On 11 July 2022, Valencia signed a four-year contract with Italian club Salernitana.

### Atromitos (loan)

On 9 September 2023, he joined on loan to Super League Greece side Atromitos on a deal for a year with an option to buy.

### Release by Salernitana

On 2 February 2025, Valencia's contract with Salernitana was terminated by mutual consent.

## International career

Diego managed to make the winning goal of the Chile national U20 team, when the Odesur won.
In 2019, he was called to the national sub 20 team, after the injury of Nicolás Guerra.
At senior level, he was called up to the Chile national team for the 2021 Copa América Quarter-finals to replace Guillermo Maripán due to an injury, making his international debut against Brazil.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 1 September 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Universidad Católica | 2018 | Primera División | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 |
| Universidad Católica | 2019 | Primera División | 17 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 5 |
| Universidad Católica | 2020 | Primera División | 30 | 4 | — | — | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 40 | 4 |
| Universidad Católica | 2021 | Primera División | 31 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 17 |
| Universidad Católica | 2022 | Primera División | 13 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 5 |
| Universidad Católica | Total | Total | 93 | 24 | 6 | 3 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 132 | 31 |
| Salernitana | 2022–23 | Serie A | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 13 | 0 |
| Salernitana | 2024–25 | Serie A | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 |
| Salernitana | Total | Total | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 18 | 0 |
| Atromitos (loan) | 2023–24 | Super League Greece | 29 | 2 | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 34 | 2 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 138 | 26 | 13 | 3 | 29 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 184 | 33 |
* ↑ Three appearances in Copa Libertadores, two in Copa Sudamericana
* 1 2 3 4 Appearance(s) in the Supercopa de Chile
* ↑ Four appearances in Copa Libertadores, five in Copa Sudamericana
* ↑ Appearance(s) in the Copa Libertadores
* ↑ Five appearances in Copa Libertadores, one in Copa Sudamericana

### International

    As of 14 June 2022
Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Chile | 2021 | 4 | 0 |
| Chile | 2022 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 7 | 0 |

## Honours

Universidad Católica
* Primera División de Chile: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
* Supercopa de Chile: 2019, 2020, 2021
Chile U20
* South American Games Gold medal: 2018