19 - Angelo Balanta
Friday, 27th Jun 2008 00:02

Columbian youngster Angelo Balanta made his first team breakthrough in 2007 and spent time on loan at Wycombe in 2008/09.

DOB - 01/07/90
Height - 5ft 10ins
Weight - 11st 11lbs
Contract - 2011

Balanta was fast tracked from the youth team into the reserves and subsequently the first team under Luigi De Canio and wasted no time in showing the QPR fans what he could do. After a couple of cameo sub appearances he made a full debut at Watford in a 4-2 win, setting up a great goal for Martin Rowlands and a penalty for Dexter Blackstock in the process. Looked a little naive in his early appearances but quickly settled down and was a regular member of the travelling squad as the season went on.

Scored his first professional goal with a near post header at the School End in a 1-1 draw with Sheff Utd in April and signed a new two year contract towards the end of the season. Balanta scored his first goal of the 2008/09 season in the League Cup at Swindon and followed that up with another in a home win against Nottingham Forest. Balanta then spent time at League Two side Wycombe on loan scoring three goals in nine starts as the Chairboys sealed promotion into League One under Peter Taylor. He returned to the QPR first team picture in the final matches of the season.

Owner Flavio Briatore has compared Balanta's emergence at QPR to that of Miachel Schumacher in motorsport. Has represented England at Under 18s level.