Position: Midfielder
Born: 04.08.85
Club: Villarreal

Luis Antonio Valencia is another promising Ecuadorian youngster, only coming to prominence with club side El Nacional as recently as 2004/2005.

Spanish side Villarreal decided to make him one of their army of South American recruits last summer, but he has struggled to break into the first team and has been out on loan at Recreativo Huelva this season.

A pacy all-round midfielder who can play in the centre or out on the right wing, Valencia scored against Bolivia in qualifying as he established himself as a first-choice.

Much is expected of Valencia in the future, and he will be particularly keen to show his club side that he can cut it at the highest level.