Diego Campos (Costa Rican footballer)

Diego de Jesús Campos Ballestero (born 1 October 1995) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays for Alajuelense.

Diego Campos

Campos with Degerfors in 2023
Personal information
Full name	Diego de Jesús Campos Ballestero
Date of birth	(1995-10-01) 1 October 1995 (age 29)
Place of birth	San José, Costa Rica
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Winger, forward
Team information
Current team	Alajuelense
Number	11
Youth career
2013–2014	Montverde Academy
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2017	Clemson Tigers	81	(23)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017	SIMA Águilas	8	(6)
2018–2020	Chicago Fire	33	(1)
2018	→ Indy Eleven (loan)	0	(0)
2020–2021	Jerv	46	(13)
2022–2023	Degerfors IF	56	(11)
2024–	Alajuelense	16	(1)
International career
	Costa Rica U-20
2023–	Costa Rica	2	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 21 April 2024

Club career

Clemson University and SIMA Águilas

Campos played four years of college soccer at Clemson University. During his time with the Tigers, Campos scored 23 goals and tallied 22 assists in 81 appearances.^[1]

Campos also appeared for USL PDL side SIMA Águilas in 2017.^[2]

Chicago Fire

On 19 January 2018, Campos was selected with the 38th overall pick of the 2018 MLS SuperDraft by the Chicago Fire.^[3] Campos signed with the club the next month on February 28.^[4] Campos made his professional debut on March 31, as a half-time substitute during a 2–2 draw with Portland Timbers.^[5]

FK Jerv

He signed for FK Jerv for the 2020 season on a free transfer from the Chicago Fire.

Degerfors IF

Ahead of the 2022 season, Diego Campos joined for Degerfors IF in Allsvenskan. He signed on a three-year deal becoming the first player from Costa Rica to play for the club.^[6]

Alajuelense

In January 2024, Campos returned to his home country by signing a two-year deal with Alajuelense.^[7] His wife, Kari, joined the club's women's team at the same time, making them the first married couple to play together for Alajuelense.^[8]

International career

In June 2023 Campos was named to the Costa Rica squad for the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup.^[9] He scored his first international goal against Martinique in the third and final game of the group stage.

Personal life

Campos met fellow soccer player Kari Johnston when they were in college.^[10] The couple married in December 2023.^[11] They welcomed a son in April 2025.^[12]