Nicolás Otamendi

Nicolás Otamendi is a defender, born on 12 February 1988 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In 1995 Otamendi started his youth career at the Vélez Sársfield football academy. During twelve years the young defender was trained at the academy where he played for youth teams of his age taking part in different junior championships.

In 2007 Otamendi graduated to the Vélez Sársfield first team signing the first professional contract in his career. He made a steady start as a professional centre back. During three years Otamendi often was in the starting line-up netting once in 54 matches. Soon Otamendi caught the eye of many European clubs, which desired to get the young defender.

In the summer 2010 Porto offered Nicolás to sign a professional contract. In July 2010 he sealed the deal without hesitation. Otamendi moved to Porto for a fee of €4 million under a five-year contract. In the first season the head coach started to include the Argentine defender in the starting eleven because he possessed all the qualities necessary for top-level professional footballers. By now Otamendi hasn’t become the key defender of the team however he has taken part in more than 30 matches for Porto. In September 2011 Porto paid €4 million for the remaining 50 percent of player’s rights. Having played 90 times for the Portuguese side, Otamendi switched for Valencia in February 2014, but was immediately loaned out to Atletico Mineiro till the end of the season.

Since 2009 Nicolás Otamendi has featured for the Argentina national football team.