Jorge Francisco Vargas

Football player infobox
playername = Jorge Vargas


fullname = Jorge Francisco Vargas Palacios
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1976|2|8
cityofbirth = Santiago
countryofbirth = Chile
height = Height|m=1.80
currentclub = Empoli
clubnumber = 31
position = Defender
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1995-1996
1996-1999
1997
1999-2003
2003-2004
2004-2006
2006-2008
2008-
clubs = Huachipato
Universidad Católica
Coquimbo Unido (loan)
Reggina
Empoli
Livorno
Red Bull Salzburg
Empoli
caps(goals) = 11 (0)
71 (5)
12 (3)
97 (3)
17 (0)
55 (0)
49 (0)
nationalyears = 1999-
nationalteam = Chile
nationalcaps(goals) = 51 (1)
pcupdate = 11 November 2006
ntupdate = 11 November 2006

Jorge Vargas (born 8 February 1976 in Santiago de Chile) is a Chilean football defender, currently playing for Italian Serie B outfit Empoli.

Club career

Vargas debuted in his countries first division in 1995 while playing for Huachipato on loan from Universidad Católica. After returning from his loan spell Vargas received little playing time for Universidad Católica, and was consequently loaned out during the 1997 season to Coquimbo Unido, where he began to make a name for himself with his solid play. His play did not go unnoticed by Universidad Católica as he returned to the club and began to feature regularly. By 1999 Vargas established himself as the symbol and most prominent member of the club appearing in 38 matches and netting 3 goals. Vargas started drawing interest from Italian clubs and by the end of 1999 was sold to Reggina.

With Reggina in the Italian serie A Vargas enjoyed the most successful part of his career, in four years he appeared in 97 league matches scoring 3 goals. In 2003/04 Vargas joined Empoli, but was unable to help the club avoid relegation. After his negative experience with Empoli, Vargas signed with A.S Livorno, where he recaptured the form that made him a standout for Reggina. In two years at the Tuscan club Vargas appeared in 55 league matches.

After his successful serie A career Vargas signed on with top Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg for the 2006/07 season. He appeared in 26 league matches helping the club to the Austrian Bundesliga crown.

On the 29th of July 2008, Vargas joined the recently relegated Italian side Empoli. [citeweb|url=http://www.empolifc.it/documento.php?id=7266|title=Jorge Vargas in azzurro]

National team

Vargas made his international debut for Chile on April 28, 1999. He cemented a starting role during his countries 4th place finish during Copa América 1999. During the latter months of 2006 and early 2007 Vargas was captain of the Chilean national team. In July 2007 he was punished by the Chilean Football Federation with a 20 match ban for his role in the unruly celebrations for qualifying to the second round of Copa America 2007, in which several members of the team in a drunken state caused problems at the teams camp. Vargas to this day denies his role.

Vargas has represented Chile 51 times, scoring a lone goal versus Uruguay from the penalty spot.

Domestic League Titles Won

*1997 Chilean League with Club Deportivo Universidad Católica
*2006/07 Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg

National Team

* 4th place Copa América 1999

In Action

*with Red Bull Salzburg [http://87.106.1.66/rbsb/images/gallery07/68_lask/19_lask_06_gr.jpg]