Diego Gabriel Valdez Samudio (born 14 November 1993), known as Mudo Valdez (Spanish, the mute), is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a midfielder, most recently for Neftchi PFK.[1]

Diego Valdez
Personal information
Full name Diego Gabriel Valdez Samudio
Date of birth (1993-11-14) 14 November 1993 (age 30)
Place of birth Paraguay
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
2011–2012 Rubio Ñu
2012–2013 Herreros Bueno
2013–2016 Deportivo Capiatá
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2016–2019 Sportivo San Lorenzo 16 (1)
2019–2021 Atlético San Luis 3 (1)
2020–2021Sol de América (loan) 51 (11)
2022 Guaraní 11 (0)
2023 Guaireña 18 (3)
2023–2024 Neftchi 23 (3)
International career
2019– Paraguay 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 July 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 6 April 2019

Professional career

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Valdez spent his early career in the lower leagues of Paraguay with Rubio Ñu, Herreros Bueno, and Deportivo Capiatá before moving to Sportivo San Lorenzo in 2016.[2] He made his professional debut with Sportivo San Lorenzo in a 1-0 Paraguayan Primera División win over Club River Plate on 22 January 2019.

On 28 August 2023, Azerbaijan Premier League club Neftçi announced the signing of Valdez to a one-year contract with the option of a second.[3] On 24 July 2024, Neftçi announced the departure of Valdez after the option on his contract wasn't taken up.[4]

International career

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Valdez made his debut for the Paraguay national football team in a friendly 1–0 loss to Peru on 22 March 2019.

Personal life

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Valdez received the nickname "El Mudo" (Spanish for mute) from his coach, Xavi Roura, for how quiet Valdez was.[5][6]

References

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  1. ^ Mudo Valdez at Soccerway
  2. ^ "La gran sorpresa en la lista casera de Berizzo". d10.ultimahora.com.
  3. ^ ""Neftçi"dən növbəti transfer". neftchi.az/ (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Dieqo Valdezə uğurlar arzulayırıq!". neftchi.az (in Azerbaijani). Neftçi PFK. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Diego Valdez es llamado por primera vez a la selección paraguaya". Tigo Sports.
  6. ^ ""No pude seguir porque no tenía para mi pasaje" - Deportes". ABC Color.
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