Pedro Franco

Pedro Camilo Franco Ulloa (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpeðɾo ˈfɾaŋko]; born 23 April 1991) is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Colombian club América de Cali, on loan from Beşiktaş. He is frequently used as a playmaker from the defensive end and also as a defensive midfielder if needed. He is mostly known for his anticipation of the ball, ball technique and passing.[1]

For the Mexican footballer, see Pedro Hernández Franco.
This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Franco and the second or maternal family name is Ulloa.
Pedro Franco
Franco playing for Beşiktaş in 2014
Personal information
Full name Pedro Camilo Franco Ulloa
Date of birth (1991-04-23) 23 April 1991
Place of birth Bogotá, Colombia
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing position(s) Centre back
Club information
Current team
 América de Cali (on loan from Beşiktaş)
Number 14
Youth career
2001–2009 Millonarios
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2013 Millonarios 108 (7)
2013– Beşiktaş 39 (1)
2016 → San Lorenzo (loan) 3 (0)
2016–2017 → Millonarios (loan) 35 (1)
2017–2018 → Boluspor (loan) 15 (1)
2018– → América de Cali (loan) 8 (0)
National team‡
2009–2011 Colombia U20 14 (2)
2014– Colombia 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 February 2018
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 6 June 2015 (UTC)

Club career

Millonarios

Franco is a youth product of Colombian team Millonarios. After making his debut in 2009 with the senior squad, he became a key defender for the Colombian capital's team. He was part of the team that won the 2012 Categoría Primera A season leading to the final on penalties, where he scored one of the penalties in victory.

In April 2013, Franco reached a remarkable 100th club career appearance.[2]

Beşiktaş

In June 2013, Franco signed a 5-year deal with Turkish giants Beşiktaş for a fee of €2.4 million.[3][4][5] However, he did not play in any games for the Turkish side for several months, leading many to believe that would leave in the 2014 January transfer window.[6] With no appearances in the league, Franco requested more playing time in order for potential spot in 2014 World Cup with Colombia. Beşiktaş coach, Slaven Bilić, promised to help him also guaranteeing that Franco would be included in Colombia's final list for the World Cup.[7]

After months of struggling to earn his debut, Franco finally made his official first appearance for the club in 2014 after being subbed in against Trabzonspor in the 66th minute. The game ended 1-1.[8] On February 11, 2014, he scored his first goal for Beşiktaş in a 3–0 away win against Kasımpaşa.[9]

Return to Millonarios

After a mostly unsuccessful loan spell at San Lorenzo, in mid 2016 Franco returns to his hometown team Millonarios.

International career

Franco played with the U-20 national team between 2009 and 2011. He won the 2011 edition of the Toulon Tournament where he was selected as the tournament's best defender,[10] and played in the 2011 South American Youth Championship. He also represented Colombia during the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in which his home nation hosted.

3 years after last playing for Colombia's youth national team, he was called up to the senior squad for the friendlies against Canada and El Salvador.[11] He debuted in a 3–0 win over El Salvador on 10 October, playing a full 90 minutes.

As of 6 June 2015
Colombia senior team
YearAppsGoal
201420
201530
Total50

[12]

Honours

Club
Millonarios F.C.
Beşiktaş J.K.

International
Colombia U20

Individual
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References
  1. "Süper Lig - Pedro Franco Beşiktaş'ta - Süper Lig 2012-2013 - Futbol - Eurosport". Tr.eurosport.com. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  2. "Pedro Franco llegó a sus primeros 100 partidos". Ligapostobon.com.co. 2013-04-30. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  3. "Pedro Franco Beşiktaş'ta". Aksam.com.tr. 2013-01-07. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  4. "Besiktas sign Los Millonarios defender Pedro Franco on a five-year deal". Turkish Football. Archived from the original on 2013-10-22. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  5. "Pedro Franco nuevo jugador del Beşiktaş". comutricolor.com. 2012-07-01. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  6. "Franco y una mala decisión" (in Spanish). Goal.com. 2014-12-16. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  7. "Noticias, Fútbol colombiano, Fútbol internacional, Champions League, Selección Colombia, Eliminatorias, Mercado de pases, Colombianos por el Mundo" (in Spanish). Goal.com. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  8. "Member associations - Turkey - League –". Uefa.com. 2014-07-11. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  9. "Pedro Franco golle tanıştı". Son.tv. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  10. "Besiktas | Pedro Franco soll die Abwehr verstärken!". Gazetefutbol. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  11. "Pekerman convocรณ la selecciรณn para amistosos - La Naciรณn". Lanacion.com.co. Archived from the original on 2014-12-06. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  12. "Franco, Pedro". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
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