Johan Mojica


Johan Andrés Mojica Palacio is a Colombian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for La Liga club Mallorca and the Colombia national team.
Mojica began his career in Colombia with second-division side Academia, before joining Llaneros in 2012. He later had loan spells at Deportivo Cali and Rayo Vallecano, before being permanently signed by Rayo in 2014. That same year, he was loaned to Valladolid, where he was included in the 2014–15 Segunda División Team of the Year. In 2017, he joined Girona, helping the club earn promotion to La Liga. He subsequently spent a short loan spell at Atalanta in Serie A, before joining Elche—first on loan and later on a three-year deal. In 2022, Mojica signed with Villarreal, and in July 2024 moved to Mallorca.
Mojica made his senior debut for Colombia in March 2015. He represented the side at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and was part of the squad that reached the final of the 2024 Copa América, where Colombia finished runners-up to Argentina.

Club career

Academia F.C.

Born in Cali, Mojica began his professional career with Academia F.C. in Bogotá, competing in the Categoría Primera B, Colombia’s second division. He made his first-team debut on 25 June 2011 in a 1–1 home draw against Expreso Rojo, where he impressed with his pace and overlapping runs from the left flank. During his early period with Academia, Mojica was primarily deployed as an attacking full-back and occasionally further up the pitch, frequently creating opportunities through his dribbling and crosses from deep.

Llaneros F.C.

In 2012, Mojica transferred to Llaneros F.C., a recently founded second-division club based in Villavicencio. He quickly became one of their standout players, contributing through defensive recovery and offensive overlaps on the left side. His performances in the Categoría Primera B earned attention from several Categoría Primera A clubs, as he displayed both pace and stamina to cover the entire flank.

Deportivo Cali

In January 2013, Mojica signed for Deportivo Cali, joining the first-team setup under manager Leonel Álvarez. He made his Categoría Primera A debut on 30 March 2013 in a 3–0 away win over Itagüí, contributing to attacking transitions while maintaining defensive discipline on the left flank. Mojica’s performances at Cali were noted for his acceleration, ability to beat markers in one-on-one duels, and endurance—attributes that soon attracted the attention of European scouts.
By mid-2013, Mojica’s form in the Colombian top flight led to an opportunity to move abroad. On 5 July 2013, he joined Rayo Vallecano in Spain’s La Liga on loan, marking the beginning of his European career.

Rayo Vallecano

Mojica moved from Colombia to Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in July 2013 on a season-long loan. He made his La Liga debut on 15 September 2013, coming on as a substitute in a 5–0 away defeat to Málaga. After the campaign, Rayo signed him permanently in July 2014 but immediately loaned him to second-division side Real Valladolid for more playing time.

Real Valladolid (loan)

At Real Valladolid, Mojica was converted from left-back to a more attacking left winger. He quickly made an impact with his offensive contributions. On 21 December 2014, he scored two goals in a 7–0 home win over Barcelona B in the Segunda División. Mojica finished the 2014–15 season with seven goals and several assists, earning a place in the league’s Team of the Season. His loan was extended for 2015–16, during which he provided multiple assists and scored twice. In total, Mojica recorded nine goals across two seasons at Valladolid and was one of the team’s standout players before returning to Rayo in 2016.

Girona

In January 2017, Mojica joined Girona FC on loan from Rayo. He immediately helped the Catalan club secure promotion to La Liga for the first time at the end of the 2016–17 season. His loan was renewed for the 2017–18 campaign, where Mojica became a regular in Girona’s debut top-flight season. He made 30 La Liga appearances that year and contributed several assists as Girona achieved a mid-table finish. In June 2018, Girona purchased Mojica outright on a four-year contract following his successful loan spell. However, his progress was stalled by a serious knee injury suffered in August 2018, which sidelined him for most of the 2018–19 season. He managed only one appearance that year as Girona were eventually relegated from La Liga.

Atalanta (loan)

On 22 September 2020, after Girona remained in Segunda División, Mojica moved to Atalanta in Italy on a season-long loan with an option to buy. He made his debut in Serie A shortly after joining. Mojica went on to appear 13 times in total for Atalanta, but he did not register any goals. In January 2021, Atalanta terminated the loan early due to limited playing opportunities, and Mojica returned to Spain.

Elche

On 15 January 2021, Mojica signed with Elche CF on loan for the remainder of the 2020–21 season. He became a starter at left-back as Elche fought off relegation. In August 2021, Elche secured Mojica on a permanent three-year deal. The 2021–22 season proved to be Mojica’s most impactful in La Liga. He scored his first top-flight goal on 22 September 2021, volleying home an equalizer in a 4–1 away match against Villarreal. Later in the campaign, on 16 April 2022, Mojica opened the scoring with a left-footed strike in a 3–0 victory over Mallorca, celebrating with a special dedication as he and his wife were expecting a child. In total, he scored two goals and provided five assists during 2021–22, playing a key role as Elche comfortably avoided the drop. His consistent performances and attacking support from defense made him one of Elche’s standout players.

Villarreal

On 1 September 2022, Mojica transferred to Villarreal CF on a four-year contract, with the club reportedly paying a €5.5 million fee for his services. He made an immediate impact in his debut for Villarreal on 8 September 2022. Starting at left-back in a UEFA Europa Conference League group stage match, Mojica played the full 90 minutes and provided an assist for Samuel Chukwueze’s goal in a 4–3 win over Lech Poznań. Despite that promising start, Mojica found first-team chances limited behind starter Alfonso Pedraza. He made 17 league appearances for Villarreal in the 2022–23 season.
In July 2023, Villarreal loaned Mojica out to CA Osasuna for the 2023–24 campaign. With Osasuna, Mojica was a regular in the lineup, appearing in 30 La Liga matches throughout the season. Although he did not score during his stint in Pamplona, he contributed with solid defensive displays and helped Osasuna to a mid-table finish.

RCD Mallorca

On 23 July 2024, Mojica signed a three-year contract with RCD Mallorca, returning to La Liga on a permanent move. He quickly established himself as Mallorca’s first-choice left-back. In a memorable performance on 23 November 2024, Mojica had a hand in all three points for Mallorca in a 3–2 away win at Las Palmas. He set up a goal with a pinpoint cross to assist teammate Robert Navarro, and in the 91st minute he scored a dramatic game-winning goal with a powerful strike from an indirect free-kick inside the box. This late winner – his first goal for Mallorca – secured a thrilling victory and highlighted Mojica’s ability to influence the attack. As of 2025, Mojica remains an important contributor for Mallorca, providing experienced defending on the flank as well as occasional goals and assists from his left-back position.

International career

On 22 March 2015, Mojica was called up by Colombia national team for the friendlies against Bahrain and Kuwait. He made his international debut four days later, coming on as a second half substitute for Juan Fernando Quintero and scoring the fifth in a 6–0 win.
He was included in Colombia's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He started in all of Colombia's matches, including the round of 16 match against England, where Colombia lost 3–4 on penalties following a 1–1 draw.
On 14 June 2024, Mojica was included into the squad for the 2024 Copa América. He was a starter in six of seven Colombia's matches, just replaced with Deiver Machado into third group phase match against Brazil, but entering at second half and maintaining his starter status till the final.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
126 March 2015Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa, Bahrain5–06–0Friendly

Honours

Colombia
Individual