COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 announced today that the club has signed striker Jhonatan Restrepo on loan from Colombian side Leones F.C. through the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with a club option to buy in 2025, pending receipt of his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) and P-1 Visa.
“Jhota is a player that will fit well into our system. He has a true desire to get into the box and score goals. His engagement against the game will be a great benefit to our press. It will be exciting to see his interaction with the other talent in our attacking core,” said Brian Crookham, Rapids 2 General Manager.
Restrepo, 19, joins Rapids 2 after spending two seasons with second division Colombian side Leones F.C in Categoría Primera B. During his first season as a professional, the striker scored three goals in 19 appearances and played just over 1,000 minutes for the club. The 2023 season saw Restrepo add another two goals and one assist to his offensive stats in his 16 matches on the pitch. Restrepo also competed with Leones in the 2023 Copa Colombia where he made two starts during the tournament before the team fell short to Categoría Primera A’s Deportivo Cali in a 2-0 loss.
Restrepo also brings with him international experience, having been called up to the Colombia U-15 Men’s National Team on a handful of occasions. He then went on to join the Colombia U-17 side prior to international play being disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids 2 sign striker Jhonatan Restrepo on February 2, 2024.
Jhonatan Restrepo
Pronunciation: JOH-nah-tahn
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Weight: 170 lbs
Birthdate: October 28, 2004
Birthplace: Medellín, Colombia
Nationality: Colombia
