Diego Rubio: Why Colo Colo Deal Fell Through & His La Serena Move

Diego Rubio’s return to Chilean football has taken an unexpected turn. While heavily linked with a move back to Colo-Colo, the 32-year-old striker has instead signed with Deportes La Serena for the 2026 season, ending his stint with Austin FC in Major League Soccer.

The news, confirmed by multiple Chilean outlets including RedGol and TNT Sports, marks a significant coup for La Serena, who are aiming to consolidate their position in the Chilean Primera División after narrowly avoiding relegation last year.

Rubio, who began his career with Universidad Católica before making his name at Colo-Colo, expressed a desire to return to the club where he first broke through. However, as he explained to Todos Somos Técnicos, the move ultimately didn’t materialize. “I wanted to come, but it didn’t happen. That’s football. It’s cliché, but it’s true. There are so many players, and each coach has their preference,” Rubio stated.

The forward’s decision was heavily influenced by conversations with La Serena players Felipe Gutiérrez and Francisco Bozan. According to Rubio, their passion for the club and the project at La Serena proved decisive. “The truth is, I wanted to stay in MLS, but this opportunity came up. Pancho (Bozán) and Felipe (Gutiérrez) called me. I played with him and I know how passionate he is about football. The chaos of the trip and getting the family settled has passed, and the kids are doing well. We are more settled now,” he said.

Rubio’s career has taken him across multiple continents, including stints in Portugal with Sporting CP, Romania with Pandurii Târgu Jiu, Norway with Sandnes Ulf, Spain with Real Valladolid, and the United States with Sporting Kansas City, Colorado Rapids, and Austin FC. He made 114 appearances for Colorado Rapids, scoring 38 goals, and added another 6 goals in 58 appearances for Austin FC. His most recent MLS season, 2025 with Austin FC, saw him register two goals and two assists in 27 appearances.

Despite his desire to return to Colo-Colo, Rubio is now fully focused on making an impact at La Serena. He debuted professionally for Colo-Colo in a pre-season friendly against Deportes La Serena, a fact highlighted in his Wikipedia profile and early reports of his career (Wikipedia, Alchetron). He is eager to contribute to the team’s success, particularly in the upcoming clásico against Coquimbo Unido.

“I came to compete and help the club as much as possible, the club that trusts me. We need that win, and hopefully we can get it,” Rubio told TNT Sports, underscoring his commitment to his new team.

The move represents a significant shift in the Chilean Primera División landscape. While Colo-Colo was widely expected to be Rubio’s destination, Deportes La Serena has pulled off a surprising coup, adding a proven goalscorer to their ranks. Rubio’s experience and pedigree will undoubtedly be valuable as La Serena looks to build on their survival and establish themselves as a competitive force in the league.

Rubio’s arrival at La Serena also signals a potential change in the club’s ambitions for the 2026 season. After a difficult 2025 campaign, the addition of a player of Rubio’s caliber demonstrates a clear intent to challenge for a higher position in the league standings. The club hopes that his experience and leadership will also benefit the younger players in the squad.

The forward’s journey back to Chilean football has been circuitous, but he now finds himself at a club where he feels valued and where he believes he can make a significant contribution. While the dream of returning to Colo-Colo remains unfulfilled, Diego Rubio is determined to make the most of his opportunity at Deportes La Serena.