Anthony Valencia

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Valencia and the second or maternal family name is Bajaña.

Not to be confused with Antonio Valencia.

Anthony Lenín Valencia Bajaña (born 21 July 2003) is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Belgian club Royal Antwerp.

Anthony Valencia

Personal information
Full name	Anthony Lenín Valencia Bajaña[1]
Date of birth	(2003-07-21) 21 July 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth	Guayaquil, Ecuador[1]
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Royal Antwerp
Number	14
Youth career
2013–2014	Deportivo Azogues
2017–2020	Independiente del Valle
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2021	Independiente Juniors	28	(5)
2022	Independiente del Valle	2	(0)
2022–	Royal Antwerp	44	(3)
2022–	Young Reds Antwerp	4	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 June 2025

Career

Born in the Ecuadorean city of Guayaquil, Valencia began his footballing career with Deportivo Azogues, training with the Azogues-based side from 2013 until 2014.^[2] He went on to join Independiente del Valle in 2017, and represented the club's youth side at the U-20 Copa Libertadores, with his performances earning him a place in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2020", highlighting the best young players in world football.^[3][4]

On 8 June 2022 it was announced that Valencia would join Belgian club Royal Antwerp on a 4 year deal.^[5] He notched his first assist for the club in his second appearance for the club; providing the pass for Radja Nainggolan's second goal in a 3–1 win over Norwegian opposition Lillestrøm in the UEFA Europa Conference League on 4 August 2022.^[6] The following month, he scored his first goal for the club; after an attack by Royal Antwerp, the attempted clearance from a Westerlo defender rebounded off forward Vincent Janssen and fell for Valencia, who headed the ball past goalkeeper Sinan Bolat.^[7]

Career statistics

Club

As of 22 July 2022^[1][8]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[a]		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Independiente Juniors	2020	Ecuadorian Serie B	10	2	–		–		0	0	10	2
	2021		18	3	–		–		0	0	18	3
	Total		28	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	28	5
Independiente del Valle	2022	Ecuadorian Serie A	2	0	0	0	1[b]	0	0	0	3	0
Royal Antwerp	2022–23	Belgian First Division A	10	1	1	0	3[c]	1	0	0	14	2
	2023–24		2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
	Total		12	1	1	0	3	1	0	0	16	2
Royal Antwerp II	2022–23	Belgian National Division 1	1	0	–		–		–		1	0
Career total			30	5	0	0	2	0	0	0	32	6

1. Includes Copa Ecuador and Belgian Cup
2. Appearances in the Copa Libertadores
3. Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

Royal Antwerp

• Belgian Pro League: 2022–23
• Belgian Cup: 2022–23
• Belgian Super Cup: 2023^[9]