Nicolás Fernando Araya Bruna

Nicolás Araya came through the Deportes Antofagasta academy, which he joined in 2013, and was promoted to the first team in 2015, making his professional debut that year. His path afterwards was far from straightforward: a free transfer to Colchagua in March 2022 brought no senior appearances at all, and it was only after moving to Club Deportivo General Velásquez in February 2023 that he found regular football again, playing 26 matches in the Tercera División that season.

Araya signed for Deportes Concepción as a free agent in January 2024, and the move reshaped his career. He was a key part of the side that won the 2024 Segunda División Profesional title, then went on to secure promotion to the Primera B through the 2025 promotion playoffs. Across his time at the club through the end of 2025 he made 44 official appearances, including 25 league matches and five in the Copa Chile during the 2025 campaign.

His route to the top flight has been built on staying involved through spells where game time was hard to come by, rather than on individual recognition — he has collected a league-winning medal with Concepción's 2024 squad but no personal awards. Every move of his career, from Antofagasta to Colchagua, Colchagua to General Velásquez, and on to Concepción, was completed on a free transfer.