Rómulo Otero

Rómulo Otero Vásquez (born 9 November 1992) is a Venezuelan footballer who plays for Criciúma. Mainly an attacking midfielder, he can also play as a winger.

Early life Otero is the son of former Colombian player Rómulo Otero Córdoba, and was born in Caracas during his father's stint at . His father died when he was three years old, and he started to live with another former footballer, Horacio "Chango" Cárdenas, in El Tigre.

Club career Caracas

Otero joined the youth sides of Caracas FC at the age of 15, and made his senior debut on 3 September 2009, coming on as a second-half substitute for Jesús Gómez in a 1–1 Primera División away draw against Llaneros. He spent most of the campaign playing for the B-team in Segunda División, but featured in another two first-team matches.

Definitely promoted to the first team in 2010, Otero scored his first professional goal on 12 December of that year, netting the opener in a 3–0 away win over Zamora. He subsequently started to become a regular starter for the club, becoming one of their captains in 2013.

Huachipato In August 2015, Otero moved abroad and was loaned to Chilean club Huachipato until July 2016, with a buyout clause. He made his debut with the club on 8 August, replacing Mikel Arguinarena and scoring the equalizer in a 2–1 home win over Deportes Iquique.

In February 2016, Otero's buyout clause was activated by Huachipato, and he finished the season with eight goals in just 21 appearances.

Atlético Mineiro On 19 July 2016, Otero was announced at Série A side Atlético Mineiro on loan. He made his debut for the club on 4 August, replacing Robinho in a 2–1 away win over São Paulo, and scored his first goal in Brazil on 12 September, netting his team's second in a 3–2 away loss to Fluminense.

On 4 April 2017, Galo acquired 50% of Otero's economic rights for a rumoured fee of US$ 1.5 million, with the player signing a contract until 2020.

Loan to Al-Wehda On 28 May 2018, after losing his starting spot, Otero joined Saudi club Al-Wehda on loan from Atlético. On 29 November 2018, the club expressed the intention of signing Otero on a permanent basis, but the deal ultimately did not go through.

Return from loan Back to Atlético in July 2019, Otero featured regularly for the remainder of the year, but saw his playing time being drastically reduced in the 2020 season. In July 2020, however, his contract with Galo was renewed.

Loan to Corinthians On 24 August 2020, Otero was loaned to fellow top tier side Corinthians until July 2021; he also became the first Venezuelan player to play for the club. He immediately became a starter for, but left on 1 July 2021 after losing his spot in the starting XI.

Cruz Azul On 3 August 2021, free agent Otero signed a one-year deal with Liga MX side Cruz Azul. He managed to start in only one league match for the club, and left after his contract expired.

Fortaleza On 2 July 2022, Fortaleza announced the signing of Otero until the end of the year. He scored once for the club, in a 1–1 home draw against Atlético Goianiense.

Aucas On 25 March 2023, Otero was announced at Aucas.

Santos

On 29 December 2023, Otero returned to Brazil after being announced at Série B side Santos on a one-year contract. He made his debut for the club the following 20 January, replacing Pedrinho and scoring the winner in a 1–0 away win over Botafogo-SP.

Nacional Montevideo On 30 December 2024, Otero switched teams and countries again, after being announced at Nacional Montevideo in Uruguay.

International career Otero received his first call-up for the Venezuela national team on 9 March 2013, for two 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia. He made his full international debut thirteen days later, replacing Luis Manuel Seijas in a 3–0 loss against the former.

Otero scored his first goal for La Vinotinto on 10 September 2013, netting the third in a 3–2 win over Peru.

Career statistics Club

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals Caracas B 2009–10 Venezuelan Segunda División

2009–10

2010–11

2011–12

Huachipato 2015–16 Chilean Primera División

2018

Cruz Azul 2021–22 Liga MX

Fortaleza 2022 Série A

Aucas 2023 Ecuadorian Serie A