1. Overview
Erick Antonio Pulgar Farfán (born on January 15, 1994), commonly known as Erick Pulgar, is a Chilean professional footballer who primarily plays as a defensive midfielder but can also play as a defender. He currently plays for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Flamengo and the Chile national team. Standing at 6.1 ft (1.87 m) tall and weighing 172 lb (78 kg), Pulgar is right-footed and is known for his defensive coverage and passing game.
2. Early life and youth career
Erick Pulgar was born in Antofagasta, Chile. He began his football journey at a young age, starting to play at six years old for the Miramar Club Sur Este. At the age of 15, in 2009, he was invited to a youth championship where Carlos Carcamo, a professional football figure, approached him to sign for the Deportes Antofagasta youth team. During his time at Antofagasta's youth academy, Pulgar played in various positions, including as a winger and left back, showcasing his versatility from an early stage.
3. Club career
Erick Pulgar's professional club career began in Chile, progressing through South American and European leagues before returning to South America.
3.1. Deportes Antofagasta
Pulgar made his professional debut for Deportes Antofagasta in 2011 in a Primera B de Chile match, at just 17 years old. By 2013, he had become a regular in the first team. During his tenure at Antofagasta, he was recognized for his physical attributes, being described as a tall and fast player who excelled at covering the defense and possessed a strong passing game. His consistent performances led to him being named the player of the season in 2014. He departed the club at the end of the 2013-14 season.
3.2. Universidad Católica
On June 28, 2014, Deportes Antofagasta confirmed the transfer of Pulgar to Universidad Católica. The transfer involved a fee of 400.00 K USD for 70% of the player's rights, and Pulgar signed a three-year contract with the club. Despite a challenging 2014-15 season for Universidad Católica, Pulgar emerged as their most outstanding player. Following the arrival of manager Mario Salas, Pulgar's role evolved, and he began playing predominantly as a midfielder.
3.3. Bologna
On August 20, 2015, Pulgar moved to Italy, signing a four-year deal with Bologna of Serie A. The transfer fee was undisclosed. Upon joining Bologna, he was assigned the number 5 shirt. He quickly adapted to the Italian league, and his contributions were recognized when he extended his contract with the club until June 30, 2022, on January 11, 2019.
3.4. Fiorentina
Pulgar's career in Italy continued as he signed with Fiorentina on August 9, 2019. He agreed to a four-year contract with the Florence-based club, continuing his tenure in Serie A.
3.4.1. Loan to Galatasaray
On February 3, 2022, during the 2021-22 season, Pulgar was loaned by Fiorentina to Turkish club Galatasaray. His loan spell was set to last until the end of the season, providing him with experience in the Süper Lig.
3.5. Flamengo
After his loan spell, Pulgar returned to South America. On July 29, 2022, Flamengo completed his transfer from Fiorentina for a fee of 3.00 M EUR. He signed a contract with the Brazilian club that will keep him there until December 2025. Since joining Flamengo, Pulgar has become an integral part of their squad, contributing to their domestic and international campaigns.
4. International career
Erick Pulgar has been a significant player for the Chile national team. He made his international debut for Chile on January 29, 2015, in a match against the United States. He was part of the Chilean squad that competed in the Copa América Centenario in 2016.
His first goal for the national side came during the Copa América 2019. On June 17, 2019, in Chile's opening match against Japan at the Estádio do Morumbi in São Paulo, Pulgar scored the first goal of the match with a header from a corner kick, contributing to a dominant 4-0 victory. He continued to score important goals for Chile, including one against Bolivia on June 8, 2021, and two goals against Venezuela on October 14, 2021, both during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
5. Personal life
On August 23, 2020, Erick Pulgar tested positive for COVID-19, during the global pandemic.
6. Career statistics
Erick Pulgar's career statistics provide a comprehensive overview of his appearances and goals at both club and international levels.
6.1. Club statistics
As of match played 5 February 2025
| Club | Season | League | State league | National cup | Continental | Other | Total | Notes | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Deportes Antofagasta | 2011 | Primera B de Chile | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2012 | Chilean Primera División | 0 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | - | - | 3 | 0 | |||||
| 2013 | 5 | 2 | - | 6 | 0 | - | - | 11 | 2 | ||||||
| 2013-14 | 32 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 0 | ||||||
| 2014-15 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 38 | 2 | - | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 2 | ||||
| Universidad Católica | 2014-15 | Chilean Primera División | 35 | 7 | - | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | 40 | 8 | Appearances in Copa Sudamericana | ||
| Bologna | 2015-16 | Serie A | 13 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 0 | ||||
| 2016-17 | 27 | 1 | - | 3 | 0 | - | - | 30 | 1 | ||||||
| 2017-18 | 32 | 3 | - | 1 | 0 | - | - | 33 | 3 | ||||||
| 2018-19 | 28 | 6 | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 30 | 6 | ||||||
| Total | 100 | 10 | - | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 10 | ||||
| Fiorentina | 2019-20 | Serie A | 37 | 7 | - | 4 | 0 | - | - | 41 | 7 | ||||
| 2020-21 | 31 | 1 | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 33 | 1 | ||||||
| 2021-22 | 6 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | - | - | 8 | 0 | ||||||
| Total | 74 | 8 | - | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 8 | ||||
| Galatasaray (loan) | 2021-22 | Süper Lig | 11 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | 11 | 0 | ||||
| Flamengo | 2022 | Série A | 6 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | - | 8 | 0 | Appearances in Copa Libertadores | |||
| 2023 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 44 | 2 | Four appearances in Copa Libertadores; one appearance in Recopa Sudamericana, two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup | ||
| 2024 | 23 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | - | 47 | 0 | Appearances in Copa Libertadores | |||
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | Appearances in Copa Libertadores; one appearance in Supercopa do Brasil | ||
| Total | 54 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 101 | 2 | |||
| Career total | 298 | 29 | 17 | 0 | 35 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 362 | 30 | |||
6.2. International statistics
As of match played 15 October 2024
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chile | 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 11 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 6 | 0 | |
| Total | 54 | 4 | |
:As of match played 14 October 2021. Scores and results list Chile's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 17 June 2019 | Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil | Japan | 1-0 | 4-0 | 2019 Copa América |
| 2. | 8 June 2021 | Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo, Santiago, Chile | Bolivia | 1-0 | 1-1 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 14 October 2021 | Venezuela | 1-0 | 3-0 | ||
| 4. | 2-0 |
7. Honours
Erick Pulgar has achieved several team and individual honours throughout his professional career.
7.1. Club honours
Flamengo
- Copa Libertadores: 2022
- Copa do Brasil: 2024
- Supercopa do Brasil: 2025
- Campeonato Carioca: 2024
7.2. International honours
Chile
- Copa América: 2016
7.3. Individual honours
- Bola de Prata: 2023
- Campeonato Carioca Team of the Season: 2024
- Copa do Brasil Team of the Season: 2024