Diego Luna (soccer)

Diego Luna (born September 7, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive.

Diego Luna
Personal information
Full name Diego Luna
Date of birth (2003-09-07) September 7, 2003
Place of birth Sunnyvale, California, United States
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Position(s) Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 El Paso Locomotive
Number 15
Youth career
Palo Alto SC
2015–2018 San Jose Earthquakes
2018–2021 Barcelona Residency Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021– El Paso Locomotive 37 (11)
National team‡
2021– United States U20 2 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 30, 2022
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of November 16, 2021

Club career

Born in Sunnyvale, California, Luna of Mexican descent began his career with the Palo Alto Soccer Club before joining the youth setup at Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes in 2015.[1][2] With the Earthquakes, Luna participated in various tournaments, including the Dallas Cup and Generation Adidas Cup.[2] In 2018, Luna left the Earthquakes academy and joined the Barcelona Residency Academy, the Arizona based academy for Spanish club Barcelona.[3]

El Paso Locomotive

On April 5, 2021, Luna signed a professional contract with USL Championship club El Paso Locomotive.[3] He made his debut for the club on May 8 in their season opening 1–1 draw against New Mexico United. He came on as a 78th minute substitute for Richie Ryan.[4] Following the match, as well as the second against Rio Grande Valley Toros, Locomotive head coach Mark Lowry said, "He has the mentality to go to the very top and we’re gonna help him do that."[5]

Luna scored his first professional goal for El Paso on June 3, the winning goal in a 1–0 road victory over Austin Bold.[6] He headed in a crossed ball from Macauley King in the 56th minute to give his side all three points.[6]

International career

Luna has been called-up to camps with the United States under-14 and under-17 sides.[2]

Luna who has only played for U.S. youth national teams, also holds the option to be called up by the Mexico national team.

Career statistics

Club
As of match played April 30, 2022[7]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
El Paso Locomotive 2021 USL319——10329
2022 6210——72
Total 37111000103911
Career total 37111000103911

References
  1. "Diego Luna". U.S. Soccer Development Academy.
  2. "New Locomotive Crewmember signed! Barca Residency Academy's Midfielder Diego Luna". El Paso Herald-Post. April 5, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  3. Ryan, Nate (April 5, 2021). "Locomotive FC sign 17-year old FC Barcelona Academy product". KVIA-TV. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  4. "ideo+Story: Locomotive snag a point in final minute with 1-1 draw vs. New Mexico United". El Paso Herald-Post. May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
  5. Ryan, Nate (May 28, 2021). "17-year-old Diego Luna making immediate impact on veteran Locomotive FC roster". KVIA-TV. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  6. "Moon Shot! Luna scores first pro goal as Locos shut down Austin 1-0". El Paso Herald-Post. June 3, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  7. Diego Luna at Soccerway
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