Cristian Bonilla
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Cristian Harson Bonilla Garzón | ||
| Date of birth | June 2, 1993 | ||
| Place of birth | Manizales, Caldas, Colombia | ||
| Height | 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Atlético Nacional | ||
| Number | 1 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2009–2012 | Boyacá Chicó | 26 | (0) |
| 2012– | Atlético Nacional | 40 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 2008–2009 | Colombia U17 | 6 | (0) |
| 2011– | Colombia U20 | 16 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of June 28 , 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Cristian Harson Bonilla Garzón (born June 2, 1993) is a Colombian football player who plays as a goalkeeper for Atlético Nacional in the Categoría Primera A.
Bonilla made his debut within the Colombian top tier at only 16 years of age with Boyacá Chicó before eventually signing with Colombian giants Atletico Nacional, where he went on to win a double in his debut year, winning both the Copa Colombia title and the very first Superliga Colombiana. Both at just 19 years of age.
He represented Colombia at the 2011 Toulon Tournament in which he was the figure of the final saving two in the penalty shoot out against France thus obtaining Colombia's third title at the tournament. He also featured in all of Colombia's matches in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he had made an impressive campaign making his presence count in crucial moments. He was also the starting choice for the 2013 South American Youth Championship where Colombia won their 3rd title.
His potential has been recognized by Premier League giants Manchester City where he was close to being acquired for the 2011-2012 season. He is often referred by Colombian media as a great prospect for the future.
Club career
Boyacá Chicó
Bonilla began his career in Boyacá Chicó. He made his debut at sixteen in the Copa Colombia. He appeared in several games with Chicó in the 2010 season. On June 1, 2012, it was announced that Bonilla would be sent on loan to Atlético Nacional with a buying option.
Atlético Nacional
With both Nacional goalkeepers Gastón Pezzuti and Franco Armani injured, Bonilla would be the first choice goalkeeper for the rest of the 2012 season. He made his official debut with Los Verdolagas on 22 July 2012 against Junior in the second leg of the Superliga Colombiana, a match that ended 3-0 favoring Nacional. This was his first clean sheet for the club as well as the first title of his club career.
He made his first league appearance on 29 July 2012 against Deportivo Cali, conceding three goals in a 3-1 loss.
Bonilla's second title would come in the 2012 Copa Colombia final against Deportivo Pasto. Due to his effective performance, Bonilla was able to achieve two clean sheets in the two-leg series. On 24 November 2012, Bonilla was put on the bench for the first time during his time with Nacional in a match against Itagüí. As a result of Pezzuti's recovery, Bonilla would compete for a spot in the starting eleven. The following season, he won his first league title with the club, thus winning every top tier trophy in Colombia.
International career
Bonilla had his first international experience with the Colombian U-17 side disputing the 2009 South American Under-17 Football Championship, securing a fourth place finish to qualify for the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup where Colombia had also finished fourth. Bonilla was part of the U-20 team that won the 2011 Toulon Tournament. He was selected to be the starting goalkeeper for the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Colombia.
His previous talents representing Colombia over these recent years led him to return to the U20 team at the 2013 South American Youth Championship. He was selected as the number 1 goalkeeper playing in every match with the exception of the final where Colombia won their 3rd South American Youth title. He was praised for his impressive improvement since the last youth tournaments.
Bonilla made a return to the Toulon Tournament in the 2013 edition, where he made it to the finals with Colombia. However, Colombia gave away the sole winning goal in the first half in a 1-0 loss against Brazil. Despite this, he won the Meilleur gardien award.
Honours
Club
Atlético Nacional
- Categoría Primera A (2): 2013 I, 2013 II
- Superliga Colombiana (1): 2012
- Copa Colombia (2): 2012, 2013
International
Colombia
Individual
- Toulon Tournament 2013 voted Meilleur Gardien.
External links
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