JEFFERSON MONTERO

Who is he? Where does he play?

He is a 23 year old Ecuadorian, smashing the common perception that the term "journeyman" should only apply to lower league vagrants who bounce from club to club until their late 30s. "More clubs than Tiger Woods"? Well nearly, Montero is on his seventh club despite only turning professional with Emelec six years ago.

Emelec, is that in Ecuador?

It sure is. Born in Los Rios, Montero began playing professionally for Emelec in the Ecuadorian Serie A. However, he had to drop down a division in order to make his name, joining Deportivo Independiente Jose Terran where he scored 19 goals in 37 appearances. Villarreal of Spain noted the young winger's progress and signed him as a replacement for Wigan-bound Luis Antonio Valencia. He spent the majority of his time in the reserves with the Yellow Submarine or out on loan, with spells at Levante and Real Betis. Despite appearing regularly for Betis, he failed to impress coach Pepe Mel enough and he returned west, this time to Mexico with Monarcas Morelia.

And now he's moving east again?

Well maybe. Montero is quite the globe trotter and could be set to clock up more air miles should Cardiff follow up their rumoured interest with a move for the 23 year old.  It turns out Montero seems to have quite the following among the Premier League's middle-band, with Swansea, Everton and Hull all interested, but the player's agent Diego Herrera says his client is focused on a move to Cardiff.

What will the Blue/Red Birds get from Montero?

A pacy, agile winger who can stretch defenders and whip in crosses or even score goals. His work-rate his fantastic and Montero is full of energy and should boss Malky McKay get his way, he'll be doing with the right-wing job, or left-wing considering he is capable on both flanks, in the red shirt of Cardiff next season. Or is it blue? We forget. Confident and dynamic, Montero can use his pace intelligently, hugging the touchline to provide width, or drifting inside to trouble defenders. He can also score an array of goals, as this hat-trick for Morelia shows;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9GuhyVENvI

A very direct player then?

He is indeed, and it is quite easy to see why he appealed to the scouts of Sam Allardyce, who was prepared to meet the player's reported £3.5 million release clause after watching him impress in a game for Ecuador, for whom he has already registered 27 caps, against Argentina. That move fell through, as did Cardiff's pursuit of Tom Ince and Denis Cheryshev. Though they may find their electric winger in the form of the small (he stands at just 5 ft 7 inches), but determined Montero.