Kendry Páez

Ray Kendry Páez Andrade (born 4 May 2007) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Independiente Del Valle.

Kendry Páez
Personal information
Full name Ray Kendry Páez Andrade[1]
Date of birth (2007-05-04) 4 May 2007
Place of birth Guayaquil, Ecuador[1]
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Independiente del Valle
Number 55
Youth career
Academia Alfaro Moreno
Barcelona SC
Emelec
Patria
Independiente del Valle
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Independiente del Valle 5 (1)
International career‡
2022– Ecuador U17 10 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:41, 18 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:41, 18 April 2023 (UTC)

Club career

Born in Guayaquil, Páez's performances for the youth team of Independiente del Valle, including being named most outstanding player at the 2022 Next Generation Trophy in Salzburg, Austria, drew the attention of multiple clubs across Europe.[2][3] He reportedly attracted interest from German club Borussia Dortmund,[4] while English side Manchester United had an opening bid for Páez rejected in December 2022.[5]

He was promoted to the Independiente del Valle first team for 2023 pre-season, at the age of fifteen.[5] On 25 February 2023, he marked his highly anticipated professional debut with a goal; the third in a 3–1 Ecuadorian Serie A win over Mushuc Runa. Having received a lifted cut-back on the right hand side of the penalty area from Anthony Landázuri, he instinctively floated the ball over the goalkeeper, Jorge Pinos, on the volley into the far corner of the goal.[6] In doing so, he became the youngest debutant, and youngest goal-scorer, in the Ecuadorian top flight.[7]

International career

Paéz has represented Ecuador at under-17 level, scoring against both Argentina and Colombia.[5][8] He was left out of Ecuador's under-20 squad for the 2023 South American U-20 Championship to facilitate his transition into the Independiente del Valle first team squad.[9]

He was called up to the Ecuador under-17 squad again for the 2023 South American U-17 Championship in March 2023. In their first game, he provided an assist for Ecuador's second goal in their 2–2 comeback draw with Brazil - a through-ball from his own half which was then converted by teammate Geremy de Jesús.[10]

Style of play

Described as a fearless dribbler, Paéz took inspiration from fellow Ecuadorian Gonzalo Plata and Argentine Lionel Messi, both of whom he watched as a child, to improve his own dribbling ability.[11]

Career statistics

Club
As of 18 March 2023.[12]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Independiente del Valle 2023 Serie A 3100000031
Career total 3100000031


    References
    1. Kendry Páez at WorldFootball.net
    2. Álvarez, Paulo (16 January 2023). "Kendry Paéz, promesa tricolor, es buscado desde Europa" [Kendry Paéz, tricolor promise, is wanted from Europe]. benditofutbol.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    3. "Kendry Páez, la joya guayaquileña de 15 años que brilla en las formativas de Independiente del Valle y que interesa a clubes importantes de Europa" [Kendry Páez, the 15-year-old jewel from Guayaquil who shines in the training sessions of Independiente del Valle and who interests important clubs in Europe]. eluniverso.com (in Spanish). 18 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    4. "Exclusivo: el club europeo que ya habló con IDV para fichar a Kendry Páez" [Exclusive: the European club that already spoke with IDV to sign Kendry Páez]. ole.com.ar (in Spanish). 16 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    5. "La importante decisión que tomó IDV con Kendry Páez" [The important decision that IDV made with Kendry Páez]. ole.com.ar (in Spanish). 15 December 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    6. "Así fue el debut de Kendry Páez: mucha voluntad, valentía y golazo" [This was the debut of Kendry Páez: a lot of will, courage and a great goal]. ole.com.ar (in Spanish). 25 February 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
    7. De la Rica, Patxo (25 February 2023). "Kendry Páez, la nueva perla de Sudamérica: 15 años, debut con gol y rumbo a Europa" [Kendry Páez, the new pearl of South America: 15 years old, debut with a goal and heading to Europe]. relevo.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 26 February 2023.
    8. "Video de Kendry Páez, la nueva joya de Ecuador: un golazo a Argentina 'a lo Maradona' y mirado por los grandes de Europa" [Video of Kendry Páez, the new jewel of Ecuador: a great goal against Argentina 'a la Maradona' and watched by the greats of Europe]. ole.com.ar (in Spanish). 27 October 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    9. "Estos son los ecuatorianos que están en el extranjero y no fueron convocados para el Sudamericano Sub-20 Colombia 2023" [These are the Ecuadorians who are abroad and were not called up for the South American Sub-20 Colombia 2023]. eluniverso.com (in Spanish). 9 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    10. "¡Kendry Páez lideró a La Tri Sub 17 en un debut que ilusiona!" [Kendry Páez led La Tri Sub 17 in an exciting debut!]. futbolecuador.com (in Spanish). 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
    11. "Kendry Páez es la nueva joya de Independiente del Valle" [Kendry Páez is the new jewel of Independiente del Valle]. lacancha.com.ec (in Spanish). 27 October 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    12. Kendry Páez at Soccerway


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