While Peru’s participation in the last South American U-20 tournament in 2023 was disappointing, that doesn’t mean there aren’t individual values to salvage. One of the prominent names of the last Peru U-20 team is Anderson Villacorta, a 17-year-old centre-back who now plays at César Vallejo University. In the 2-0 victory of the “poet team” over Deportivo Binacional, the young footballer started in league 1 for the first time.
Anderson Villacorta played three of Peru’s four games with the South American U-20 team in Colombia, starting two of them with Arón Sánchez. What surprised many was that he and former teammate Diether Vásquez were hired by Liga Expansión MX after the Mineros Zacatecas tournament.
Anderson Villacorta with the Peru team in the South American Sub-20 in Colombia 2023. Photo: Libero
Who is Anderson Villacorta?
Anderson Villacorta was born on July 25, 2005 in Pueblo Nuevo District, Chepén Province, La Libertad. He joined the reserve César Vallejo and established himself as a starter. He was considered by Gustavo Roverano for the South American Games in Asuncion 2022 and then by Jaime Serna for the South American Sub-20 in Colombia 2023.
Villacorta made his professional debut on August 21, 2022 when he came on for Ronald Quinteros at 92’+ in Vallejo’s 4-1 win over Mannucci on Day 8 of the Clausura tournament. Since then, however, he has only resurfaced when he made his debut as a regular in the 2023 Apertura against Binacional. He completed the 90′ and played a correct match with Juan Quiñones in central defence.
Anderson Villacorta in his first game as a starter with César Vallejo in League 1. Photo: UCV Press
Anderson Villacorta and his move to Mexican football
In early February, Luis Gálvez, César Vallejo’s manager, confirmed that Anderson Villacorta would sign with Mineros de Zacatecas of the MX Expansion League. “It’s not a loan or a process, it’s a sale. Nothing concrete yet, but there are advanced negotiations. Some details of the contract of both and the work visas are missing,” said the head.
Unlike Diether Vásquez, who already made his debut with the Mexico side at the Clausura tournament, Villacorta would not join the club until he came of age in July 2023. The contract runs for three years and César Vallejo keeps 50% of the player’s passport. After his title win against Binacional, the young defender is likely to add more minutes in League 1 before leaving.