Field Insider
Defensive midfielderColombiaPrimera A

Juan Nieto

Experienced headOnce Caldas · 33 yrsStarterNew signing
12.1
Ratingi
29
Seasoni
0.5
Valuei

ratings updated 22 Aug 2026

Profile

Full nameJuan Pablo Nieto Salazar
PositionDefensive midfielder
NationalityColombia
Age33
Date of birth25 Feb 1993
BirthplacePereira
Height178 cm
Shirt number#15
ClubOnce Caldas
More about J. Nieto →
Defensive midfielder

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
48
Appearances
4
Goals
4
Assists
3840
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Deportes Tolima.

Performance data · by competition

CompetitionAppsGAMinMatch
Primera Aat Deportes Tolima484438407.14
CONMEBOL Libertadoresat Deportes Tolima000796.9

Scout report

Experienced headDefensive midfielder

J. Nieto is a 33-year-old defensive midfielder at Once Caldas, enjoying a standout season — 4 goals and 4 assists in 48 appearances, a Season grade of 33, top 9% of Primera A defensive midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 12.1, ranking 261st of 347 in the Primera A. A seasoned veteran, he has been an ever-present (88.9% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.25 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Nieto.

Judged on this season alone, Nieto graded 33 — an excellent campaign that ranks top 9% of the 23 defensive midfielders in the Primera A, on 4 goals, 4 assists and 2.25 defensive actions per 90.

We hold a single season for Nieto, so there's no year-on-year comparison to draw yet — the read above is this campaign only.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 12, 19th of 23 of the 23 defensive midfielders in the Primera A. At 33 Nieto is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 0.5 reflects that trajectory.

Current potential19th of 23 defensive midfielders · Primera ACurrent seasonTop 9% defensive midfielders · Primera A2nd-best defensive midfielder in the Primera A261st in the Primera A · potential19th-highest potential defensive midfielder in the Primera A
12.1
Ratingi
19th of 23 defensive midfielders
32.6
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
88.9%
Minutes
near ever-present
2.25
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Once Caldas finished 11th of 20 · a mid-table side

48
Apps
2.25
Def. / 90
59
Tackles
21
Interceptions
18
Clean sheets

2.25 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 18 clean sheets across 48 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 4 goals and 4 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

  • Availability. On the pitch for 88.9% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
  • Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.19 goal involvements per 90, useful for a defensive midfielder.

Watch points

  • Age curve. At 33, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
  • Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 12.1, Nieto carries the 19th-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the Primera A of 23. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.25 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.7× and falling).

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among defensive midfielders in the Primera A with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals4
Shots on target20
Shots43

Passing

Assists4

Possession

Successful dribbles10
Dribble success45.5%
Fouls won51

Defending

Tackles59
Interceptions21
Blocks16
Fouls committed25

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards4
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.