Gonzalo Jara

Gonzalo Alejandro Jara Reyes is a defender of Nottingham Forest. He was born on 29 August 1985 in Talcahuano, Chile.

Gonzalo began his professional career by joining local Chilean club Huachipato after being fostered in its academy. He signed a contract with the team and performed for it during a year and a half, establishing himself as the pivot of defense line. The defender made 47 appearances, netted one goal and, despite his young age, managed to draw the attention of different South American squads, including Colo-Colo.

At the beginning of 2007, Gonzalo completed his move to the new team and became a regular as soon as put pen to paper of a contract. The young Chilean footballer was given a place in the starting XI and found the net one time in 65 matches during two years before continuing his career in another club.

In 2009 English side West Bromwich Albion took an interest in the opportunity to secure the defender’s services and started negotiations with him after their bid was accepted. The deal was agreed in the summer the same year, when Gonzalo penned a contract with the club and officially became its player. After two years in ‘The Baggies’, the defender was in poor shape and lacked opportunities to regain it. In order to provide the best way out of that problem, he was sent on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion, where Jara first spent the first half of 2011/2012 and then the second half of the season as the management expressed their desire to extend his contract. In January 2013 Jara went on loan to Championship side Nottingham Forest and in the summer signed a permanent deal with the Foresters.

In 2006 Gonzalo made his international début for the Chile national team. He took part in 59 matches and contributed three goals since then.