Brayan Ceballos Bio
Brayan Andrés Ceballos Jiménez (born 24 May 2001) is a Colombian footballer who plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution. Standing 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) tall, he wears the number three shirt for the Revolution and made his MLS debut during the 2025 season opener. Known for his composure in central defence, Ceballos has built his career across Colombian, Brazilian, Ukrainian, and American football before reaching Major League Soccer.
Early Life and Background
Brayan Andrés Ceballos Jiménez was born on 24 May 2001 in Cali, Colombia. Growing up in one of South America’s most recognised footballing cities, he developed an early passion for the sport and joined the youth academy of Universitario Popayán. The club’s academy gave him a structured platform to refine his defensive skills and prepare for the physical demands of senior football.
At Universitario Popayán, Ceballos progressed through the youth ranks and earned recognition for his reading of the game and aerial ability. His development in Popayán laid the foundation for a senior career that would soon take him across multiple leagues and countries.
Path to Soccer
Ceballos made his senior debut on 11 April 2018, starting in a 1–0 away win over Deportes Quindío in the Copa Colombia. The match marked the first step in his transition from promising youth prospect to professional footballer in the Categoría Primera B.
After five further appearances for Universitario Popayán, he transferred to Deportes Quindío, a club owned by the same group of businessmen. The move gave him a clearer path to regular minutes and allowed him to grow within a stable environment.
Brayan Ceballos Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Ceballos began his senior career with Universitario Popayán in 2018, primarily featuring in cup competition. His appearances during the 2018 Copa Colombia gave coaches a glimpse of his potential as a composed ball-playing defender.
The following year, he made the move to Deportes Quindío, where he gradually adapted to the rhythm of weekly league football. This transition from spot appearances to consistent selection represented an important development phase in his young career.
Deportes Quindío Breakthrough (2019–2021)
Initially a backup option at Deportes Quindío, Ceballos became a regular starter during the 2021 season and played a key role in the club’s promotion to the Categoría Primera A in the Torneo I. His reliability at the back helped the club secure their return to the top flight of Colombian football.
He made his top-tier debut on 17 July 2021, playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 home win over Jaguares de Córdoba. Ceballos scored his first senior goal on 17 August 2021, netting the opener in a 2–3 home loss against Atlético Bucaramanga. Across the campaign, he featured in 11 matches in the main category before his side was relegated back to the second division.
Fortaleza Era (2022–2024)
On 16 December 2021, Ceballos moved abroad and signed a three-year contract with Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Fortaleza. The transfer represented his first experience outside Colombian football and a major step up in competitive level.
During his time with Fortaleza, he also spent time on loan at Junior, gaining further top-flight experience in Colombia. His performances in Brazil helped him attract attention from European clubs and ultimately set the stage for his move to Major League Soccer.
New England Revolution Era (2024–Present)
On 13 December 2024, Ceballos signed with Major League Soccer club New England Revolution, becoming part of the club’s defensive rebuild. His arrival added South American experience and physicality to the back line ahead of the new campaign.
Ceballos made his MLS debut, and recorded his first start for the Revolution, in the 2025 season opener, a 0–0 draw against Nashville SC on 22 February. His composed performance in that match earned him MLS Team of the Matchday honours for Week 1, signalling a strong start to his career in North America.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ceballos is recognised for his aerial presence, positional discipline, and composure in possession. Operating as a left-sided centre-back, he combines physical duels with a willingness to step into midfield and distribute the ball. His ability to adapt across multiple leagues highlights a defender comfortable with varied tactical systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career milestones, Ceballos counts his senior debut in the 2018 Copa Colombia, his first Categoría Primera A appearance in 2021, and his first senior goal against Atlético Bucaramanga. His MLS Team of the Matchday honour in Week 1 of the 2025 season stands as his first individual recognition in Major League Soccer.
Brayan Ceballos Career Wins
Across his career to date, Brayan Ceballos has contributed to team achievements including Deportes Quindío’s promotion to the Categoría Primera A in 2021, and team honours associated with Fortaleza and Atlético Junior during his time in South American football.
Club Highlights
Ceballos’s most significant club achievement came during the 2021 season with Deportes Quindío, where his role as a regular starter helped the club secure promotion to the top flight. His subsequent spells at Fortaleza and Junior on loan added depth to a résumé spanning multiple national leagues.
His transition to Major League Soccer with New England Revolution in 2025 has begun with a clean sheet against Nashville SC and a Week 1 Team of the Matchday selection.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond team honours, Ceballos has posted consistent defensive performances in each league he has featured in, including 11 appearances in the Categoría Primera A and regular selection across the Colombian and Brazilian top tiers.
Brayan Ceballos Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified information about Brayan Ceballos’s family background is limited. His footballing development is closely linked to the city of Cali and the youth system at Universitario Popayán.
Personal Life
Brayan Ceballos maintains a largely private personal life. Confirmed public details focus on his professional journey from Cali to Major League Soccer.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 Major League Soccer season marks Brayan Ceballos’s first campaign with New England Revolution. His selection in the starting eleven for the season opener against Nashville SC underlined the club’s confidence in his ability to anchor the back line.
His Week 1 Team of the Matchday selection reflected an immediate positive impact, providing a platform for consistent selection throughout the season. As the campaign progresses, Ceballos is expected to feature regularly as a central defender for the Revolution.
With adaptation to the North American game underway, his early performances suggest a steady integration into the squad and a clear opportunity to establish himself as a long-term defensive option for the club.