David Villa profile

Speed, lethal finishing and a poacher's instinct have seen him bag a hatful of goals in the last couple of seasons at club level whilst also elevating him to the status of first-choice for his country.

"Life is great now and I'm playing for one of the big clubs in Spain, but at 14 I wanted to give up."
David Villa.

Born in the Asturias region in Northern Spain, he got his professional breakthrough at local club Sporting Gijon for whom he made his first-team debut in the 2000-01 season.

After over 50 goals in just three seasons at Gijon, he got his chance in Spain's top-flight when promoted Real Zaragoza swooped for him in the summer of 2003.

He had no trouble adapting to the step up in class and found the net 17 times in his first season at La Romareda.

After managing another 15 in his second, as well as earning his his first international call-up and cap, Valencia decided to take a chance on him and parted with over £8 million to secure his services in the summer of 2005.

Although there were some raised eyebrows at the fee, it proved shrewd business as Villa continued his sensational form with a 20-plus goal haul.

Having started the season as a possible for Luis Aragones' World Cup squad, he became a certainty and has even eclipsed the likes of Raul and Fernando Morientes to become a definite starter.

His first international goal came in the second leg of the qualification play-off with Slovakia in November 2005 and, having quickly notched a second in a friendly against Ivory Coast some two months later, he has showed he is more than capable of succeeding at the highest level. 

Likely to form a potent-looking partnership with Fernando Torres, Villa could well prove one to watch in Germany if he can translate his scintillating club form on to the world stage.