Argentine association football player
Franco Daniel Jara (born 15 July 1988) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward.
Club career
Born in Villa María, Córdoba, Jara made his professional debut with Arsenal de Sarandí, first appearing in the Primera División in a 0–1 home loss against Argentinos Juniors on 23 May 2008. He scored his first goal for the club on 10 April of the following year, in a 1–1 draw at Club Atlético Colón.[4]
On 30 January 2010, Jara signed a five-year deal with Portuguese champions S.L. Benfica for a transfer fee of €5.5 million, effective for the beginning of 2010–11.[5] He scored in his second official game, a 1–2 home loss to Académica de Coimbra on 15 August,[6] and finished his first season with 43 competitive appearances (11 goals).[7]
Jara was loaned to newly promoted La Liga side Granada CF in late August 2011, moving to Andalusia alongside several other Benfica teammates.[8] On 21 July of the following year, still owned by the latter, he joined San Lorenzo de Almagro,[9] and the same happened in the 2013–14 campaign, this time with Estudiantes de La Plata.[10]
On 24 January 2015, Jara signed for two and a half years with Olympiacos F.C. in a €1.5 million transfer fee.[11][12] His Super League Greece debut occurred on 1 February in a 2–0 away win over Veria FC. He scored his first goal two months later, in a 3–1 victory at Panthrakikos FC.[13]
On 23 May 2015, Jara intercepted a backward pass inside the area in the last minute of the first half of the final of the Greek Football Cup, helping the Piraeus-based team to a record 27th conquest after defeating Skoda Xanthi F.C. 3–1 at the Olympic Stadium.[14][15] On 9 September, he joined Mexican club C.F. Pachuca on a free transfer.[16] He scored a career-best 17 times while at the service of the latter side in 2015–16's Liga MX, helping them win the Clausura tournament,[17] adding six in eight matches for the champions of the following season's CONCACAF Champions League and being voted the competition's best player.[18]
Jara signed for FC Dallas of the Major League Soccer on 21 January 2020, with the deal being made effective in July.[19] On 10 January 2023, Jara and Dallas mutually agreed to terminate his contract at the club.[20]
On 11 January 2023, Jara signed a contract with Atlético Belgrano while he was a free agent.
International career
On 19 January 2010, Jara was called up to the Argentina national team for a friendly match with Costa Rica on the 27th.[21] The game finished 3–2, and he scored the match-winning goal.[22]
Jara earned his second cap on 10 February 2010, in a 2–1 win against Jamaica.[23]
Personal life
On 10 September 2014, Jara suffered a car accident and crashed into a tree, but did not suffer major injuries.[24][25]
Costa Rica
