Denil Castillo has gone from Ecuador’s youth ranks to Denmark’s Superliga and a World Cup squad spot in under three years.
This article breaks down Denil Castillo’s net worth, his FC Midtjylland contract, and how his earnings have grown since his 2024 move to Denmark.
Denil Castillo’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Denil Daniel Castillo Preciado |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 2004 |
| Age | 22 |
| Nationality | Ecuadorian |
| Height / Weight | 1.89 m (6’2″) / approx. 70 kg (154 lbs) |
| Position | Central Midfielder |
| Current Club | FC Midtjylland (Danish Superliga) |
| Turned Professional | 2023 (Shakhtar Donetsk) |
| Net Worth | Estimated at $1.5 million (unofficial estimate) |
| Salary / Career Earnings | Individual salary undisclosed; involved in transfer deals worth a combined $4.8 million-plus |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship; became a father in June 2026 |
Early Life and Career
Denil Castillo was born on March 24, 2004, in Eloy Alfaro Canton, in Ecuador’s Esmeraldas province.
He started out with the youth side Clan Juvenil before moving to CS Norte América in 2019, the stepping stone that eventually led him into LDU Quito’s renowned academy in 2020.
At LDU Quito, Castillo spent time on loan with Atlético Kin before working his way through the club’s Sub-20 system.
He never made a senior first-team appearance for LDU Quito, but he became a key figure for the club’s U20 side, featuring heavily in continental youth competition, including the Copa Libertadores Sub-20.
His form at youth level carried over to the Ecuador U20 national team, where he debuted in June 2022 and went on to make around 18 appearances.
He was part of the Ecuador squad that won silver at the 2022 South American Games and helped the country qualify for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina, where he featured as a substitute in the group stage.
That youth-level form is what convinced Shakhtar Donetsk to sign him in 2023, ending his time in Ecuador’s domestic pipeline and launching his European career.
Professional Career
Shakhtar Donetsk announced the signing of Castillo from LDU Quito on April 24, 2023, locking him into a five-year contract that began on July 1, 2023, for a transfer fee reported by Ecuadorian outlets at roughly $870,000.
He made six Ukrainian Premier League appearances in his first season as Shakhtar won the 2023–24 league title, though playing time was limited.
In January 2024, Castillo moved on loan to Partizan Belgrade in Serbia, where he got his first real taste of regular senior football: 14 league appearances and two goals as Partizan finished as Serbian SuperLiga runners-up.
That loan spell convinced FC Midtjylland to make a permanent move. The Danish club signed him on July 1, 2024, for a €4 million transfer fee on a five-year deal.
He started slowly, making 22 Superliga appearances without a goal in 2024–25, before becoming a regular starter in 2025–26, scoring three league goals and helping Midtjylland win the DBU Pokalen, Denmark’s domestic cup.
His progress was rewarded in March 2026 when Midtjylland extended his contract through June 2031.
On the international stage, Castillo earned his senior Ecuador debut on March 21, 2025, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Venezuela during CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying.
He has since added more senior caps and was named by head coach Sebastián Beccacece in Ecuador’s official 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where La Tri face Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, and Curaçao in Group E.
Denil Castillo’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Denil Castillo’s his net worth at approximately $1.5 million.
This figure is an editorial estimate and not a confirmed number from the player, his agent, or his club.
Contract
Castillo signed with FC Midtjylland on July 1, 2024, on a five-year deal originally running through June 30, 2029, after the club paid Shakhtar Donetsk a €4 million transfer fee.
On March 10, 2026, Midtjylland extended that contract through June 30, 2031, a vote of confidence after his breakout 2025–26 season.
He is represented by the agency Seth Sports. No release clause has been publicly confirmed.
Salary
Castillo’s individual annual salary has not been disclosed by FC Midtjylland or listed on salary-tracking sites such as Capology, which currently puts Midtjylland’s total squad payroll at roughly €15.18 million for the 2025–26 season across the full roster, led by Philip Billing as the club’s highest earner.
As a regular contributor who is not yet among the squad’s top earners, Castillo’s wages likely sit well below that figure, though no specific number can be confirmed at this time.
Career Earnings
| Period | Club | Transfer Fee / Contract Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | LDU Quito (youth/academy) | Academy contract; no transfer fee |
| July 2023 | Shakhtar Donetsk | Signed for a reported $870,000 fee on a five-year deal |
| Jan–Jun 2024 | Partizan Belgrade (loan) | Loan move; no permanent fee |
| July 2024 | FC Midtjylland | €4 million transfer fee; five-year contract through 2029 |
| March 2026 | FC Midtjylland | Contract extended through June 2031 |
Career Statistics
| Club / Period | Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shakhtar Donetsk (2023–24) | Ukrainian Premier League | 6 | 0 |
| Partizan Belgrade (loan, 2024) | Serbian SuperLiga | 14 | 2 |
| FC Midtjylland (2024–25) | Danish Superliga | 22 | 0 |
| FC Midtjylland (2025–26) | Danish Superliga | 14–15 | 3 |
| FC Midtjylland (2025–26) | UEFA Europa League | approx. 10 | 1 |
| FC Midtjylland (2025–26) | DBU Pokalen | 2 | 1 |
FAQs
What is Denil Castillo’s net worth?
His transfer history and contract terms, Surprise Sports estimates his net worth at around $1.5 million, though his club has not confirmed an exact number.
How long is Denil Castillo’s contract with FC Midtjylland?
He signed with Midtjylland in July 2024 on a five-year deal. The club extended his contract in March 2026, and he is now under contract through June 30, 2031.
Which clubs has Denil Castillo played for?
Castillo came up through LDU Quito’s academy before signing with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023. He then had a loan spell at Partizan Belgrade before joining FC Midtjylland permanently in July 2024.
Has Denil Castillo played for Ecuador’s senior national team?
Yes. He debuted for Ecuador’s senior team on March 21, 2025, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Venezuela during World Cup qualifying, and has earned more caps since.
Is Denil Castillo part of Ecuador’s 2026 World Cup squad?
Yes. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece named him in Ecuador’s official 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where the team competes in Group E against Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, and Curaçao.
