Ulises De la Cruz
| Born | 08 August 1974, Piqulucho |
| Nationality | Ecuadorean |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Height | 1.80 m |
| Position | Defender/Midfielder |
Ulises became Hibernians' record signing when he joined the Edinburgh club in a £750,000 deal.
A fast and energetic right-back, he is capable of moving forward to crack home a spectacular goal - notably a 35-yard scorcher against Brazil in the Maracana during the 2002 World Cup qualifier.
Ulises was Ecuador's only ever-present during their successful campaign for Japan and South Korea, and has over 80 caps to his name.
Once dubbed the next Pele, a comparison to Roberto Carlos is probably closer to the mark.
After appearing in all three of his nations World Cup finals matches, he was persuaded to join Aston Villa in the summer of 2002. His contract was extended to June 2006 in August 2004.
Ulises joined Reading in August 2006 with a one-year contract that was extended to June 2008 in June 2007.
He joined Birmingham City in March 2009 on a monthly contract.
Career stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | Ecuador | Copa America | 5 | ||||
| 1992-93 | Ecuador | South America Youth Championship | 1 | ||||
| 1994-95 | Ecuador | Kirin Japan Cup | 1 |
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| 1994-95 | Ecuador | Korea Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1995-96 | Ecuador | Olympics | 4 | ||||
| 1996-97 | Ecuador | Copa America | 3 | ||||
| 1996-97 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1996-97 | Ecuador | International | 2 | 1 |
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| 1997-98 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1997-98 | Ecuador | International | 1 | ||||
| 1998-99 | Ecuador | Canada Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1998-99 | Ecuador | Copa America | 3 | ||||
| 1998-99 | Ecuador | International | 6 | 1 |
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| 1999-00 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 4 | 1 |
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| 1999-00 | Ecuador | International | 1 | 1 |
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| 2000-01 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 9 | ||||
| 2000-01 | Ecuador | International | 2 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Ecuador | Copa America | 3 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 8 | 1 |
2
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| 2001-02 | Ecuador | International | 4 | 1 |
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| 2001-02 | Hibernian | Scottish FA Cup | 2 | 1 |
1
|
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| 2001-02 | Hibernian | Scottish League Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2001-02 | Hibernian | Scottish Premier League | 25 | 7 |
2 |
1
|
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| 2001-02 | Hibernian | UEFA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Aston Villa | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2002-03 | Aston Villa | Premier League | 12 | 8 |
1 |
2
|
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| 2002-03 | Aston Villa | Worthington Cup | 2 | 1 |
1 |
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| 2002-03 | Ecuador | International | 4 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Aston Villa | Carling Cup | 3 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Aston Villa | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Aston Villa | Premier League | 20 | 8 |
2
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| 2003-04 | Ecuador | Copa America | 3 | ||||
| 2003-04 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 7 | 1 |
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| 2004-05 | Aston Villa | Carling Cup | 1 | ||||
| 2004-05 | Aston Villa | Premier League | 30 | 4 |
2
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| 2004-05 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 7 | 1 |
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| 2004-05 | Ecuador | International | 1 | ||||
| 2005-06 | Aston Villa | Carling Cup | 1 |
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| 2005-06 | Aston Villa | Premier League | 4 | 3 |
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| 2005-06 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 6 | 1 |
2
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| 2005-06 | Ecuador | International | 2 | 1 |
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| 2006-07 | Ecuador | Copa America | 2 |
1
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| 2006-07 | Ecuador | International | 5 | 1 |
1 |
1
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| 2006-07 | Reading | Carling Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2006-07 | Reading | FA Cup | 4 |
1
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| 2006-07 | Reading | Premier League | 9 | 1 |
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| 2007-08 | Ecuador | FIFA World Cup | 2 | 1 |
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| 2007-08 | Reading | Carling Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2007-08 | Reading | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 2007-08 | Reading | Premier League | 3 | 3 |
2
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| 2008-09 | Birmingham City | League Championship | 1 |
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Match history
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Sep 2006 | Reading v Darlington | D | 3-3 | Carling Cup | 2nd round |
| 01 Oct 2006 | West Ham United v Reading | W | 0-1 | Premier League | |
| 22 Oct 2006 | Reading v Arsenal | L | 0-4 | Premier League | |
| 25 Oct 2006 | Liverpool v Reading | L | 4-3 | Carling Cup | 3rd round |
| 09 Jan 2007 | Reading v Burnley | W | 3-2 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 14 Jan 2007 | Everton v Reading | D | 1-1 | Premier League | |
| 20 Jan 2007 | Reading v Sheffield United | W | 3-1 | Premier League | |
| 27 Jan 2007 | Birmingham City v Reading | W | 2-3 | FA Cup | 4th round |
| 17 Feb 2007 | Manchester United v Reading | D | 1-1 | FA Cup | 5th round |
| 27 Feb 2007 | Reading v Manchester United | L | 2-3 | FA Cup | 5th round replay |
| 09 Apr 2007 | Charlton Athletic v Reading | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 14 Apr 2007 | Reading v Fulham | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 21 Apr 2007 | Bolton Wanderers v Reading | W | 1-3 | Premier League | |
| 30 Apr 2007 | Reading v Newcastle United | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 13 May 2007 | Blackburn Rovers v Reading | D | 3-3 | Premier League | |
| 12 Aug 2007 | Manchester United v Reading | D | 0-0 | Premier League | |
| 18 Aug 2007 | Reading v Everton | W | 1-0 | Premier League | |
| 25 Aug 2007 | Bolton Wanderers v Reading | L | 3-0 | Premier League | |
| 28 Aug 2007 | Swansea City v Reading | W | 0-1 | Carling Cup | 2nd round |
| 25 Sep 2007 | Reading v Liverpool | L | 2-4 | Carling Cup | 3rd round |
| 29 Dec 2007 | Tottenham Hotspur v Reading | L | 6-4 | Premier League | |
| 01 Jan 2008 | Reading v Portsmouth | L | 0-2 | Premier League | |
| 05 Jan 2008 | Tottenham Hotspur v Reading | D | 2-2 | FA Cup | 3rd round |
| 12 Jan 2008 | Aston Villa v Reading | L | 3-1 | Premier League | |
| 15 Jan 2008 | Reading v Tottenham Hotspur | L | 0-1 | FA Cup | 3rd round replay |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liga Deportiva Universitaria | 01 Jul 1999 | 18 Jun 2001 | |
| Hibernian | 18 Jun 2001 | 02 Aug 2002 | |
| Aston Villa | 02 Aug 2002 | 30 Jun 2006 | |
| Reading | 25 Aug 2006 | 30 Jun 2008 | |
| Watford | 25 Jul 2008 | 02 Aug 2008 | T |
| Coventry City | 08 Sep 2008 | 12 Sep 2008 | T |
| Birmingham City | 03 Mar 2009 | 30 Jun 2009 |