Rodrigo Vilca is reportedly set to leave Newcastle United on loan for the second time this season.
The Peruvian youngster started the campaign in League One, joining Doncaster Rovers on a temporary deal until January.
Vilca made 10 league appearances for Donny, scoring one goal. He also made three appearances in the EFL Trophy, where he scored another and provided two assists. In total, Vilca provided four goal contributions in his time with Doncaster.
He was described as ‘quality‘ by previous boss Richie Wellens, but Doncaster did not extend his stay at the Keepmoat Stadium. The Doncaster Free Press stated in December that Vilca didn’t look ‘suited to the rigours of English football’s third tier’.
He returned to Newcastle at the start of the year, but it looks like the 22-year-old is set to depart once again. But this time he’s moving a bit further away from the North East…
Rodrigo Vilca reportedly heading back to Peru
According to Pulso Sports Peru on Twitter, Vilca is set to join Universitario in the next few days. They state that he has said his goodbyes in Newcastle. The i’s Mark Douglas added that it will be a loan deal.
A move back to Peru might suit Vilca. He’ll be joining one of the top teams in his homeland. Universitario came third in the Peruvian top division last year.
While a move back to his home country might be ideal, it doesn’t say much for his Toon future.
He’s never featured for the Magpies’ first-team, and a loan move to South America hardly suggests he’s any closer to making his Premier League debut.
Vilca was signed by Newcastle in October 2020, costing £250,000 from Deportivo Municipal.
When he first joined the club, it was reported that he probably didn’t have the physical attributes to have an impact in England just yet. 18 months on and it would appear nothing has changed.
And with the new direction Newcastle are going in, it seems as though the writing could be on the wall for Vilca.
He’s reportedly heading out on loan, but a permanent move away is surely on the horizon in the near future.
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