10 Things to Know: Gonzalo Villar

1, Gonzalo Villar was born in Murcia on 23 March 1998.

2. Villar, a central midfielder, came through the academy system at Elche, making his debut for their reserve side as a 16-year-old in January 2015.

3. His early promise caught the attention of Spanish giants Valencia, who bought the midfielder and added him to their youth team for the 2015-16 season.

4. By the start of the 2017-18 season he had been promoted to Valencia B, where he would be an almost ever-present in a side that also featured Carlos Soler and Ferran Torres – both of whom have since gone on to break into the first team.

5. Villar never played in a competitive game for Valencia, but he did make his debut for the side in a friendly in May 2018 – against Al-Nassr in Saudia Arabia. The game ended 0-0, but Villar played against the likes of Ronaldinho, Alessandro Del Piero, Hernan Crespo and Deco that day.

6. At the start of the 2018-19 season, Villar returned to Elche in order to begin his career in senior football. In his first season he made 15 appearances in the Segunda Division – and scored his first senior goal, a left-footed drive, in a Copa del Rey defeat against Cordoba.

6. This season he has been an almost ever-present for Elche, scoring his first goal – a header - in the Segunda Division in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Malaga in November.

8. Villar has represented his country at both Under-19 and Under-21 level – making four appearances for the Under-21 side so far.

9. Villar is not the only talented footballer in his family – his brother, Javier, is also on the books at Elche, having previously spent time with Barcelona.

10. Villar is active on Instagram – follow him at @gonzalovillar8.