Marcelo Palomino

Marcelo Palomino (born May 21, 2001) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for USL Championship side Orange County SC.

Career Youth Palomino joined the Houston Dynamo academy when he was 11 years old. Whilst with the Dynamo academy, Palomino was named Dynamo Academy Player of the Year for three consecutive seasons between 2016 and 2018. He spent parts of the 2017 and 2018 seasons with Houston's Premier Development League affiliate side Brazos Valley Cavalry, scoring 7 goals in 8 appearances for the club, helping them to the PDL Mid-South Division title in 2018. He also spent time training with the Dynamo first team regularly in 2017 and 2018.

In 2019, after turning 18, Palomino turned down contract offers from the Dynamo to pursue an opportunity in Europe, going on trials with Portuguese club FC Porto, German club TSV 1860 Munich, and others.

Professional

Houston Dynamo On January 6, 2019, Palomino signed with Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo as a homegrown player. He made his professional debut on October 3, 2020, appearing as a 77th-minute substitute during a 2–1 loss to Sporting Kansas City. Palomino finished the 2020 season having made 3 appearances, all as a substitute, for the Dynamo.

On March 3, 2021, Palomino joined USL Championship club Charlotte Independence on loan for the 2021 season. He made his debut for Charlotte on May 1 in a 3–0 defeat against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In the next game, on May 14, Palomino scored his first goal for the Independence against Charleston Battery, his 12th-minute goal being the first in a 3–0 victory. After not appearing in Charlotte's first playoff game, he came on as a late substitute in their 2nd, a 1–0 loss to Louisville City in the conference semifinals.

AFC Eskilstuna On January 9, 2023, Palomino joined Swedish club AFC Eskilstuna on a permanent deal, signing a four-year contract.

GIF Sundsvall On January 26, 2024, Palomino moved to another Superettan club GIF Sundsvall on a three-year deal.

Career statistics