Valentn Mariano José “Taty” Castellanos Giménez (born October 3, 1998) is an Argentine professional soccer player who currently plays as a forward for Girona on loan from Major League Soccer club New York City FC.
Content
Switching
- Fast facts
- Club career
- International career
- Well done
Fast facts
| Name | Valentin Castellanos |
| Full name | Valentn Mariano José “Taty” Castellanos Giménez |
| date of birth | October 3, 1998 |
| Age | 24 years old |
| Birth place | Mendoza, Argentina |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Position(s) | Forward |
| Current team | Girona (on loan from New York City FC) |
| Number | 9 |
Club career
The beginning of a career
Castellanos began his club career at the Universidad de Chile youth academy. He made his senior team debut against Corinthians at the 2017 Copa Sudamericana, playing 14 minutes. In July 2017, he was loaned to Torque for a year. He scored two goals in 11 appearances while on loan, helping the club win the Segunda Division and gain promotion to Uruguay’s first division. His transfer from Universidad de Chile to Torque became permanent on July 1, 2018.
New York City FC
On July 27, 2018, he signed a loan deal with Major League Soccer club New York City FC until the end of the 2018 season. He started and scored his first goal for New York City FC against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. On November 29, 2018, NYCFC exercised its option to purchase Castellanos prior to the 2019 season.
In 30 games this season, Castellanos has contributed 11 goals and seven assists to New York City’s offense. This form allowed NYCFC to finish first in the Eastern Conference and qualify for their first CONCACAF Champions League.
Castellanos’ performance dipped in 2020, with six goals and three assists in 22 games during a season interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Castellanos struggled with finishing chances as he had an xG/90 of 0.65, but finished the season with a G/90 of just 0.40. The New York City Soccer Club would finish fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. Castellanos had the opening penalty saved in a shootout against Orlando City during the first round of the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, but VAR overturned the decision after goalkeeper Pedro Gallese left the goal line prematurely. He scored his second penalty, but NYCFC lost the shootout 6-5, knocking them out of the playoffs.
During the 2021 season, Castellanos managed to finish much more consistently, becoming just the fifth player in MLS history to score in each of his club’s first four games. Shortly thereafter, on May 13, 2021, Castellanos signed a new contract with NYCFC until 2025. During the 2021 season, Castellanos was a key component of New York City’s attack.
Girona (on loan)
Castellanos has signed a season-long loan deal with Girona, who have just been promoted to La Liga. On 25 April 2023, he scored four goals for Girona in their 4–2 win over Real Madrid, becoming the first player to do so in a league game against Real Madrid since December 1947, when Esteban Echevarra scored five goals for Oviedo in Victory 7-1.
International career
Coach Fernando Batista called up Castellanos for the first time to Argentina’s under-23 national team in October 2019 for two friendlies against Mexico. However, he made his debut during Argentina’s win at the CONMEBOL 2020 pre-Olympic tournament.
Well done
Torque
- Uruguayan Segunda Division
New York City FC
- MLS Cup: 2021
Argentina U23
- Pre-Olympic tournament CONMEBOL: 2020
Individual
- NYCFC Player of the Month: August 2021, September 2021
- MLS Player of the Month: October/November 2020, August 2021
- MLS Golden Boot: 2021
- MLS Best XI: 2021
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education