25 - Antonio Valencia Profile

Luis Antonio Valencia Mosquera (born 4 August 1985), commonly known as Antonio Valencia, is an Ecuadorian football winger, who currently plays for Manchester United. He also plays for the Ecuadorian national team.

Valencia started his career at El Nacional, and moved to the Spanish league team Villarreal in 2005. However, he was loaned to Recreativo de Huelva for most of the 2005–06 season.

At the beginning of the next season, he joined English Premier League club Wigan Athletic, initially on a year long loan deal. He made his debut for Wigan on 19 August 2006, in a 2–1 loss to Newcastle United, and scored his first goal for them against Manchester City on 21 October 2006.The loan was extended into the following season, and on 18 January 2008 he transferred for an undisclosed fee, signing a three and a half year contract. In early June 2009, the Wigan chairman announced that he would not force Valencia to stay at the club.

On 30 June 2009, Valencia became Manchester United's first summer signing, having cut his holiday short to have a medical with the club. He has signed a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be in the region of £16 million.

Related Antonio Valencia News

  • Valencia welcomes Young test

    Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia is confident he will not be sidelined by the summer arrival of Ashley Young.

  • Valencia on the up

    Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia admits he is nearly back to his best after missing five months of the season following a horror injury.

  • Valencia & Anderson returns close

    Antonio Valencia could play in Manchester United's FA Cup quarter-final on March 12, while Anderson is sidelined for just two to three weeks.

  • Fergie: Rooney's getting there

    Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney is "quickly" progressing towards top form after his performance in the 1-1 draw with Valencia.

  • Man Utd 1-1 Valencia

    Manchester United secured top spot in Champions League Group C after coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Valencia at Old Trafford.

  • Ferguson hails Hernandez

    Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised the instinctive finish from Javier Hernandez that landed his side a vital UEFA CHampions League win over Valencia

  • Valencia 0-1 Man Utd

    Javier Hernandez struck an 85th-minute winner for Manchester United against Valencia at the Mestalla to earn Sir Alex Ferguson's side their first UEFA Champions League triumph in Group C

  • Phelan explains Fergie absence

    Mike Phelan confirmed Sir Alex Ferguson was missing from Manchester United's win over Scunthorpe because he was scouting Valencia.

  • Ferguson fears for Valencia

    Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson fears Antonio Valencia will be unavailable for the remainder of the season after suffering a fracture or dislocation of his ankle.

  • Champions League draw

    Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Rangers now know who they will face in the UEFA Champions League group stage.