Position: Defender
Born: 05.10.79
Club: Nantes

Julio Cesar Caceres is sure to be one of Paraguay's stars for years to come and much is expected of the defender this summer in Germany.

The 26-year-old always likes to push forward, creating chances for others and frequently providing Paraguay with attacking options from defence.

Since making his debut in the 4-0 friendly defeat to England just before the previous World Cup, in which he featured, Caceres has rapidly come of age in the national side, putting in several fine performances in qualifying.

At club level he started his career at Olimpia Asuncion, where he won the Paraguayan championship in 1999 and 2000 as well as the Copa Libertadores in 2002.

A high-profile move to Europe followed in 2004 when he made the switch to Nantes but given little chance to impress he was loaned out to Brazilian club Atletico Mineiro for the 2005/06 season. Caceres impressed, but this season his French owners loaned him to River Plate of Argentina

A calm yet effective defender, Caceres has an experienced head on young shoulders and will not give Sven-Goran Eriksson's side an easy ride.