Who Are Ya? The Lowdown On Arsenal Target Enner Valencia

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Everything you need to know about Ecuadorian ace Enner Valencia.

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With Arsenal joining the race to land Pachuca striker Enner Valencia, many have been looking to find out more about the star striker who has taken the World Cup by storm with three goals in Group E. Here, to save you the trouble, is a comprehensive rundown of everything you need to know about the Ecuadorian hit man.

Where’s he from?

He was born in San Lorenzo in the Esmeraldas province of Ecuador on April 11 1989. In his younger days before football became his focus he worked as a farmer to help his family.

Where has he played?

Primarily a striker, Valencia can also operate in wider positions. He began his career with Caribe Junior’s Youth team – the same side as Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia, before making the switch to Emelec in 2008.

He struggled to gain a foothold in the first team at first, but when current Chile coach Jorge Sampaoli arrived he saw fit to give him a more comprehensive chance.

After some lengthy discussions he completed a move to Mexican giants Pachuca in January this year.

How much does he score?

He wasn’t so prolific for Elmalec, netting just 27 times in 131 appearances, however, he has found a rich vein of form in Mexico where he has ended the regular season as top scorer with 12 goals – three of which came as a hat trick against UNAM in a 4-2 victory.

How about at international level?

Having began life as a winger he was converted as a striker following the tragic death of Christian Benitez earlier in the year.

He scored his first international goal in a 2-2 draw with Honduras last November, and has continued his fine form since netting three times in four pre-tournament friendlies.

Since arriving in Brazil he has scored all three of his side’s goals in the tournament and now has seven strikes in his last six games.

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