Brandon Aguilera: Age, Career, Club, Stats and Costa Rica Journey

Meet the talented Costa Rican midfielder who played at the FIFA World Cup as a teenager and later continued his career in European football.

News TrapJuly 21, 2026

0 10 9 minutes read

Introduction

Brandon Aguilera is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Rio Ave FC in Portugal. He is best known for representing Costa Rica at the 2022 FIFA World Cup when he was only 19 years old.

Aguilera began playing senior football in Costa Rica before joining Nottingham Forest in England. His career has also included spells with Alajuelense, Guanacasteca, Estoril and Bristol Rovers. His passing ability, left-footed technique and experience at a young age have made him one of Costa Rica’s recognised midfield talents.

Brandon Aguilera Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full name	Brandon Aguilera Zamora
Date of birth	28 June 2003
Age	23 years old as of July 2026
Nationality	Costa Rican
Birthplace	Costa Rica
Profession	Professional footballer
Position	Central midfielder
Preferred foot	Left
Height	Approximately 1.79 metres
Current club	Rio Ave FC
League	Primeira Liga
Shirt number	10
National team	Costa Rica
International debut	30 March 2022
Major tournament	2022 FIFA World Cup

Who Is Brandon Aguilera?

Brandon Aguilera Zamora is a professional footballer from Costa Rica. He usually operates in central midfield, where he helps his team move the ball, create chances and control possession.

Table of Contents

He attracted international attention after joining Nottingham Forest and earning a place in Costa Rica’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Playing on football’s biggest stage as a teenager gave him valuable experience against some of the world’s strongest national teams.

As of July 2026, Aguilera is a Rio Ave player. He joined the Portuguese club permanently from Nottingham Forest in July 2024.

How Old Is Brandon Aguilera?

Brandon Aguilera was born on 28 June 2003. He turned 23 years old in June 2026.

His zodiac sign is Cancer. Aguilera reached several important career milestones at a young age, including making his senior Costa Rica debut before turning 19 and appearing at a World Cup later that year.

Where Was Brandon Aguilera Born?

Published sources agree that Aguilera was born in Costa Rica, but they do not all name the same town.

Some records list Naranjo as his birthplace, while other football databases identify Grecia. Because reliable sources provide different locations, it is safer to describe his birthplace simply as Costa Rica unless a definitive primary record becomes available.

Brandon Aguilera’s Height and Playing Position

Aguilera is approximately 1.79 metres, or around 5 feet 10 inches, tall. He is a left-footed midfielder who can perform in central and more advanced midfield positions.

He is not mainly known as a high-scoring player. His role commonly involves receiving the ball, connecting defence with attack and looking for forward passes. He can also shoot from outside the penalty area, as shown by his memorable goal for Bristol Rovers.

Early Football Career

Aguilera began playing senior football while still very young. Statistical records credit him with four league appearances and one goal for Carmelita during the 2018–19 season.

He later joined Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, one of Costa Rica’s most successful clubs. His first-team debut for Alajuelense came against San Carlos in May 2020.

Playing for Alajuelense allowed him to compete for major trophies and develop alongside experienced professionals. He was part of the club during its successful 2020 period, when it won the Apertura championship and the CONCACAF League.

Alajuelense and Guanacasteca Career

Aguilera gradually earned senior experience with Alajuelense before moving to Guanacasteca on loan.

The Guanacasteca spell was important because it gave him regular first-team football. He made 28 league appearances during his time with the club and demonstrated that he could contribute goals from midfield.

The decision to move temporarily helped him gain the playing time needed to develop. It also placed him in a stronger position to earn international opportunities and attract interest from European clubs.

Nottingham Forest Transfer

Nottingham Forest signed Aguilera from Alajuelense in July 2022. The English club gave the 19-year-old midfielder a four-year contract.

He initially returned to Guanacasteca on loan so he could continue playing regularly before beginning his European career.

Aguilera later joined Nottingham Forest’s squad and made appearances in the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup. However, competition for places limited his opportunities with the senior team.

His time at Forest was still an important part of his development. Training in a Premier League environment exposed him to a faster and more physically demanding level of football.

Loan Spell at Estoril

In January 2023, Aguilera joined Portuguese club Estoril on loan.

He did not make a senior league appearance for Estoril. Instead, he played with the club’s under-23 side. The experience helped him adjust to Portuguese football and life in Europe.

Although the loan did not produce regular Primeira Liga appearances, it introduced him to the football system in the country where he would later join Rio Ave.

Bristol Rovers Career and Famous Debut Goal

Aguilera moved to Bristol Rovers on loan in February 2024.

He made an immediate impact. On 3 February 2024, he scored from long range during his debut against Exeter City. The goal gave Bristol Rovers a 1–0 victory.

The strike later received the club’s 2023–24 Goal of the Season award. It remains one of the most memorable individual moments of his European club career.

His loan spell was briefly interrupted by a hamstring injury, which required rehabilitation with Nottingham Forest. Aguilera returned and completed the season with 12 League One appearances and two goals.

Brandon Aguilera’s Rio Ave Career

Rio Ave completed Aguilera’s permanent transfer from Nottingham Forest on 2 July 2024.

The club announced that he had signed a three-season agreement. This placed him under contract through June 2027. Rio Ave also highlighted his international experience and previous time in Costa Rica, England and Portugal when confirming the move. Rio Ave officially announces Brandon Aguilera’s transfer.

Joining Rio Ave offered Aguilera a clearer path to regular top-flight football. During the 2024–25 Primeira Liga season, he recorded 25 league appearances and three goals.

Available statistics for the 2025–26 league season show 19 appearances, 17 starts and one goal. These numbers underline his growing role in Rio Ave’s midfield.

Brandon Aguilera’s Costa Rica Career

Aguilera represented Costa Rica at under-15, under-17, under-20 and under-23 levels before becoming a senior international.

He made his senior debut against the United States on 30 March 2022. Costa Rica won the World Cup qualifying match 2–0.

Later that year, he was selected for Costa Rica’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. Aguilera appeared in all three group matches against Spain, Japan and Germany.

Costa Rica’s 1–0 victory over Japan was one of the country’s most important results at the tournament. Although the team did not advance from the group, Aguilera gained valuable experience against elite international players.

He also represented Costa Rica at the 2024 Copa América. He started against Brazil and Colombia before appearing as a substitute in the victory over Paraguay.

During the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, he created Costa Rica’s opening goal in a dramatic 4–3 victory over Suriname.

FIFA later featured Aguilera in an interview about Costa Rica’s football ambitions and the influence of the country’s successful 2014 World Cup generation. Read FIFA’s Brandon Aguilera interview.

Available records listed Aguilera with 30 senior international appearances and no goals as of the latest confirmed update used for this article.

Did Brandon Aguilera Play at the 2022 World Cup?

Yes, Brandon Aguilera played for Costa Rica at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

He appeared against Spain, Japan and Germany during the group stage. He was only 19, making him one of the younger members of Costa Rica’s squad.

His selection showed how highly the national-team coaches rated his potential. The tournament also helped introduce him to a much wider international audience.

Brandon Aguilera Career Statistics

The following figures cover league appearances. Totals may vary between football databases because some sources also count domestic cups, international cups, reserve matches and other competitions.

Club	League appearances	League goals
Carmelita	4	1
Alajuelense	40	1
Guanacasteca	28	4
Nottingham Forest	1	0
Estoril senior team	0	0
Bristol Rovers	12	2
Rio Ave	44	4

The Rio Ave total combines the available 2024–25 and 2025–26 league figures.

Brandon Aguilera’s Awards and Achievements

Aguilera has earned team and individual honours during his career:

Costa Rican Apertura champion with Alajuelense in 2020.
CONCACAF League winner with Alajuelense in 2020.
Selected for Costa Rica’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.
Bristol Rovers Goal of the Season winner for 2023–24.
Represented Costa Rica at the 2024 Copa América.
Represented Costa Rica at the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

What Is Brandon Aguilera’s Net Worth?

Brandon Aguilera’s verified net worth has not been made public.

Websites sometimes publish estimated footballer net worth figures without explaining where the numbers came from. Such estimates should not be treated as confirmed facts.

His known income is connected mainly to his professional football contracts. Transfermarkt estimated his player market value at approximately €1.5 million in May 2026, but a market value is not the same as salary, personal wealth or net worth.

The fee paid by Rio Ave for his permanent transfer was not officially disclosed.

Is Brandon Aguilera Married?

There is no reliable public confirmation about Brandon Aguilera being married or having a publicly known partner.

Aguilera keeps his private life away from most football coverage. For that reason, claims about his dating life, spouse or children should not be presented as fact without direct and trustworthy confirmation.

Brandon Aguilera’s Playing Style

Aguilera is a technical, left-footed midfielder. He is comfortable receiving the ball in central areas and helping his team progress into attack.

His main qualities include:

Forward passing.
Ball control in midfield.
Long-range shooting.
Chance creation.
Set-piece delivery.
Movement between midfield lines.
Experience in central and attacking roles.

His role can change depending on the team’s formation. He may play deeper to help organise possession or move forward to support attacking players.

Why Is Brandon Aguilera Famous?

Brandon Aguilera is famous mainly because of his international football career with Costa Rica.

His appearance at the 2022 World Cup while still a teenager introduced him to a global audience. His move to Nottingham Forest also attracted attention because it gave him an opportunity to enter English football.

His famous Bristol Rovers debut goal and subsequent move to Rio Ave added further important chapters to his European journey.

Interesting Facts About Brandon Aguilera

He made his senior Costa Rica debut before his 19th birthday.
He played at the FIFA World Cup when he was 19.
He has played professional football in Costa Rica, England and Portugal.
His first Bristol Rovers goal came on his debut.
That debut strike won Bristol Rovers’ Goal of the Season award.
He captained Costa Rica at under-20 level.
He is a left-footed central midfielder.
He won two important trophies with Alajuelense early in his career.

What Is Brandon Aguilera Doing Now?

As of July 2026, Brandon Aguilera remains a Rio Ave midfielder under a contract scheduled to run until June 2027.

His immediate career goal is likely to be earning regular minutes in Portugal and continuing his development at the top level. Strong club performances could also help him remain part of Costa Rica’s plans as the national team begins a new period following its failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Readers looking for more accessible football profiles and current personality stories can explore Newstrap.

Final Words

Brandon Aguilera has already experienced several major moments despite being in the early years of his professional career.

He played senior football as a teenager, won trophies with Alajuelense, joined a Premier League club and represented Costa Rica at the World Cup. His journey has also taught him how to manage loans, limited playing time, injuries and the challenge of adapting to European football.

His permanent move to Rio Ave gave him a valuable opportunity to play more regularly. If he continues developing his passing, decision-making and attacking contribution, Aguilera could remain an important Costa Rican midfielder for years to come.