David Silva profile: 10 Things you need to know about the Liverpool target

Liverpool are leading the race to sign Valencia midfielder David Silva, even if they don't want to get involved in a bidding war.

Here's eveything you need to know about the player dubbed the future of Spanish football...

1) David Josua Jimanez Silva was born on 8 January 1986 in Arguineguin, Gran Canaria, to a Spanish father and an Asian mother.

2) He came up through the Valencia youth team, but made his first team debut on loan to second division side SD Eibar in 2005, for whom he made 35 appearances and scored five goals.

3) He was loaned to top flight side Celta Vigo for the 2005/06 season, where he again impressed, notching four goals in 31 games and helping the team secure qualification for the UEFA Cup.

4) Those exploits at Celta Vigo attracted a great deal of attention, and led to Valencia tying him down to a seven-year contract in 2007.

5) He's made more than 140 appearances for Valencia and scored 22 goals. Chelsea fans might remember a corker from the Champions League last year:

6) He was joint top scorer with four goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships, helping Spain to the Quarter Finals.

7) He made his senior Spanish debut in a 1-0 defeat against Romania on November 15th, 2006, and scored his first goals in a 3-2 win over Greece on August 22nd, 2007.

8) He played a key role in Spain's Euro 2008-winning side and got on the scoresheet in the semi-final victory over Russia. He was substituted in the final, however, after becoming embroiled in a violent feud with German striker Lukas Podolski which saw the pair going head to head:

9) He was the subject of an internet prank when a rumour was circulated that, because of his Asian roots, he was a skilled machete fighter. Unfortunately it's not true - which is probably just as well, given the state of knife crime in Britain right now…

10) He's primarily an attacking midfielder, but can play anywhere across the middle and also as a second striker in the hole. David spent most of last season playing on the right wing for Valencia and is regarded as one of the brightest talents in Spanish football. This is why:

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