Guerrero, Esquerdo and Guillamón latest examples of youth success

Adrián Guerrero made his first LaLiga start against Real Valladolid, just a few days after debuting for Valencia CF in the Primera Division in Granada. He was the third player from the VCF Academy that this season to feature in first team action in LaLiga, following in the footsteps of Vicente Esquerdo and Hugo Guillamón.

Such occurrences are reason for satisfaction for an entity that has strengthened its commitment to the VCF Academy in recent years, after the arrival of Peter Lim as the club's majority shareholder. Guerrero, Guillamón and Esquerdo are the three latest examples to those in the youth setup who dream of making their debut for Valencia CF.

Esquerdo was the first of the three to make his debut this season. He did so on November 30th against Villarreal CF, also participating in the final minutes of the games against Valladolid away and Osasuna at Mestalla.

Next to step up to the first team was Guillamón, who was a substitute against Real Sociedad on February 22nd and has currently played five games in the top flight -completing a full 90 minutes in four of them.

Guerrero came on at half time against Granada, holding onto his spot on the the left side of the defence against Valladolid on Matchday 35.

Besides the international expansion strategy of the VCF Academy, which is allowing the club to grow with campuses and schools using their methodology in 10 countries on four continents, the fruits of the club’s labours are also being reaped by the first team, considered one of the 25 most valuable clubs in Europe according to the 'The European Elite 2020'  report prepared by consultancy KPMG.

The three VCF Academy products follow in the footsteps of several squad members who have made the same journey. Captain José Luis Gayà, Carlos Soler, Ferran Torres and Kang In, in addition to goalkeeper and captain Jaume Domènech -who played for VCF Mestalla after joining the club- show that a commitment to youth is the way forward.