Tomás Ángel Bio
Tomás Ángel Gutiérrez (born 20 February 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a forward. Born in Birmingham, England, while his father was playing in the English Premier League, he grew up between England and the United States before moving to Colombia, where he began his professional career. He most recently represented Colombia at under-20 level and has built his career across South American and American soccer, including stints at Atlético Nacional, Phoenix Rising, San Diego FC, and América de Cali.
Standing 1.74 meters tall, Ángel is a centre-forward by trade whose early career has bridged the academies of Colombian football and the professional ranks of Major League Soccer. His path has been shaped by a strong family connection to the sport, a long development journey through Atlético Nacional, and a willingness to test himself in new leagues on both sides of the Americas.
Early Life and Background
Tomás Ángel Gutiérrez was born on 20 February 2003 in Birmingham, England. His father, Juan Pablo Ángel, was a professional footballer who was playing for Aston Villa in the English Premier League at the time of his birth. Because of his father’s career, Tomás spent his earliest years in England, surrounded by professional football environments from a young age.
Tomás inherited his passion for the game from his father, and as a child he frequently accompanied Juan Pablo to training during his time with the New York Red Bulls. The family lived in England until 2007, when they relocated to the United States. His elder brother, Gerónimo, is a musician, actor, and model who appeared on the Colombian children’s talent show La Voz Kids, while his younger brother, Pascual, has also pursued football. After living in the United States until the age of ten, Tomás moved to Colombia in 2013, where he entered the youth system of Atlético Nacional, the former club of his father.
Path to Professional Soccer
Once in Colombia, Tomás Ángel joined the academy of Atlético Nacional, the storied Medellín-based club where his father had built part of his legacy. He later moved to Club Deportivo Estudiantil, where he worked under manager Alejandro Restrepo and consistently led the academy’s goal-scoring charts. His development at Estudiantil helped refine his instincts as a centre-forward and prepared him for the demands of senior football.
In early 2020, he returned to Atlético Nacional, and after strong performances with the under-17 side he was invited to train with the first team. That same year, English newspaper The Guardian named him in its Next Generation 2020 list, recognizing the best players born in 2003 worldwide. He signed his first professional contract with Atlético Nacional in January 2021, completing his transition from academy prospect to senior professional.
Tomás Ángel Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Tomás Ángel made his senior debut for Atlético Nacional in January 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute for Andrés Andrade in a 5–2 Categoría Primera A win over Deportivo Pereira. Two months later, on 7 March 2021, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Águilas Doradas, finishing from the edge of the area after a pass from Jefferson Duque. The goal confirmed his potential as a natural finisher inside the penalty area.
Over the following seasons, his role at Atlético Nacional fluctuated. He was used at times as a winger rather than a centre-forward, and changes of manager, including the arrival of Alejandro Restrepo, Hernán Herrera, and Pedro Sarmiento, limited his opportunities. After Paulo Autuori took charge, Ángel enjoyed a strong run, scoring five goals in the 2023 Torneo Apertura and attracting transfer interest from Spanish side Barcelona.
Atlético Nacional Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Despite his initial promise, Ángel’s progress at Atlético Nacional was uneven. He did not add to his goal tally in 2021 after his first senior strike, and he openly discussed his desire to play in his natural centre-forward position. When manager Autuori gave him a consistent run in 2023, he responded with five Apertura goals and was a key contributor in cup competition.
On 16 February 2023, Ángel came off the bench to score twice and provide an assist as Atlético Nacional beat Deportivo Pereira 4–3 to win the 2023 Superliga Colombiana. The performance was a career-defining moment, showcasing his ability to change matches as a substitute. Later in 2023, however, the arrival of manager William Amaral reduced his role, with youth player Jayder Asprilla preferred up front.
Los Angeles FC Era (2024)
On 31 January 2024, Tomás Ángel joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC. He scored his first MLS goal on 22 June 2024, in a 6–2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes, a result that highlighted his ability to find the net in one of North America’s top leagues. The move represented a fresh start in a new country and competition.
On 2 August 2024, LAFC loaned him to Phoenix Rising of the USL Championship for the remainder of the 2024 season, allowing him to accumulate regular playing minutes in a competitive environment. The loan gave him the rhythm he had struggled to find during his first year in MLS.
San Diego FC Era (2024–2026)
On 9 December 2024, Ángel was traded to expansion club San Diego FC in exchange for $200,000 in allocation money, with San Diego also receiving a second-round pick in the 2025 MLS Superdraft. The trade positioned him as part of the foundation of a new franchise, offering a clean slate and a clear pathway to regular minutes.
His time at San Diego FC gave him stability and a defined role within a growing squad. The move was widely viewed as an opportunity for the young forward to establish himself as a long-term contributor in Major League Soccer.
América de Cali Era (2026–Present)
On 1 March 2026, Ángel was transferred to Colombian Liga DIMAYOR side América de Cali for an undisclosed transfer fee. The move brought him back to top-flight Colombian football and reunited him with one of the country’s most traditional clubs. It marked a new chapter in his development, returning him to the environment where he first built his professional identity.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Ángel’s early career came on 16 February 2023, when he scored twice off the bench and added an assist to lead Atlético Nacional to the 2023 Superliga Colombiana title. Recognition from The Guardian’s Next Generation 2020 list further underlined his standing among the top young players of his birth year. His first MLS goal, scored against San Jose Earthquakes, marked his successful transition to North American soccer.
Tomás Ángel International Career
Tomás Ángel has represented Colombia at under-20 level, including participation in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He featured in the opening 2–1 win against Israel and came on at half-time against Japan, helping Colombia overturn a 1–0 deficit with a 2–1 victory in which he scored the second goal. In the round of 16 against Slovakia, he provided two goals in a 5–1 win, demonstrating his attacking impact on the international stage.
Tomás Ángel Family
Family Background and Soccer Lineage
Tomás Ángel comes from a family with deep ties to professional football. His father, Juan Pablo Ángel, was a prominent striker who played for Aston Villa in England and the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, among other clubs. This background gave Tomás early and continuous exposure to the demands of elite-level football.
Personal Life
Tomás is the elder brother of Gerónimo, a musician, actor, and model who appeared on the Colombian children’s talent show La Voz Kids, and of Pascual, who is also pursuing a career in football. The three brothers were raised between England and the United States before settling in Colombia, and football has remained a central connection in their family life.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Tomás Ángel was part of the inaugural San Diego FC squad as the expansion club prepared for its first Major League Soccer campaign. His experience at LAFC and Phoenix Rising, combined with his goalscoring pedigree from Atlético Nacional, made him a player to watch for the new franchise. The year represented an opportunity to cement himself as a regular contributor in a league that continues to grow in technical quality.
With his move to América de Cali completed in early 2026, his 2025 campaign with San Diego FC served as a bridge between his American development and his return to Colombian football. The season allowed him to refine his game against MLS opposition, build consistency, and prepare for the next phase of his career at one of Colombia’s most historic clubs.