Paulo de la Cruz

Paulo de la Cruz came through the youth ranks at Universitario de Deportes, working through every age group before making his first-team debut in 2018 at 18 years old. He stayed three seasons in Lima, making 35 appearances and winning the Torneo Apertura in 2020, having already lifted the Copa Federaciones at under-17 level in 2017.

In February 2021 he moved to Atlético Grau on a free transfer to help the club push in the Liga 2. The gamble paid off that same year: de la Cruz was a key figure as Atlético Grau won the 2021 Liga 2 title and secured promotion to Liga 1, Peru's top flight. He has stayed with the club ever since, recently renewing his contract through to the 2026 season.

De la Cruz has represented Peru at under-20 level and was part of the group of sparring partners who trained with the senior squad during the build-up to the 2018 World Cup, though a first-team cap has not followed.

Born in the Lima district of Los Olivos.