Omar Merlo

Omar Jesús Merlo (Spanish pronunciation: [oˈmaɾ ˈmeɾlo], born 12 June 1987) is an Argentine-born Chilean professional footballer that currently plays for Peruvian club Sporting Cristal as a centre back.

Omar Merlo

Omar Merlo allowing himself to be photographed with a steelworker fan
Personal information
Full name	Omar Jesús Merlo
Date of birth	(1987-06-12) 12 June 1987
Place of birth	Santa Fe, Argentina
Height	1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Centre back
Club information
Current team	Sporting Cristal
Number	5
Youth career
2001–2007	Colón
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2007–2010	Colón	25	(1)
2008	→ River Plate (loan)	2	(1)
2010	Platense	5	(0)
2011	Unión San Felipe	36	(2)
2012–2017	Huachipato	163	(6)
2018–	Sporting Cristal	41	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 January 2018

Merlo made his first team debut for Colón in 2006, and quickly established himself as a regular member of the first team squad. In February 2008, he signed up with powerhouse team River Plate, where he won the Torneo Clausura. Seasons later, Merlo was a key player at the squad of Primera División club Huachipato that earned 2012 Torneo Clausura, scoring the winning penalty in the final.