Jefferson OREJUELA

The lanky, central midfielder was the beating heart of the Independiente del Valle story. As an emphasis on fast breaks down the flank often left them facing the risk of becoming too stretched, Orejuela kept knitting the team together with his dynamism, sensible passing and willingness to take responsibility.

Acquired by Independiente at the age of 17 in 2010, the year the club were making their debut in the Ecuadorian top tier, within two years he was featuring in the first team, just at the point when they were raising their short-term ambitions beyond mere survival.

And since they have launched challenges on both domestic and now continental titles, Orejuela has been there all the way, gradually replacing one-time captain Henry Leon and making himself an indispensable part of the side. He has not yet forced his way into the national team yet, where he would seem capable of becoming a proficient midfield partner for Cristian Noboa. But that may now only be a matter of time after a Libertadores which has given him wider recognition, with several Brazilian clubs said to be interested in signing him.