Ángelo Preciado is an Ecuadorian association football player known for his versatility as a midfielder and right-back.
He began his professional career at Independiente del Valle, where he joined the youth setup in 2015.
Preciado transferred to K.R.C. Genk in December 2020 for a reported fee of €3 million.
Biography
Early Life
Ángelo Smit Preciado Quiñónez, an Ecuadorian professional footballer, was born in Shushufindi, Sucumbíos. He began his football journey by joining the youth setup of Independiente del Valle in 2015, transitioning from América de Quito. His early career was marked by a notable incident during the semifinals of the 2018 U-20 Copa Libertadores, where he gained attention for using a corner flag to defend himself during a confrontation with River Plate Montevideo players.
Club Career
Preciado made his senior debut for Independiente del Valle on July 9, 2018, in a Serie A match against Aucas. He quickly established himself as a regular starter, scoring his first goals in a match against El Nacional on August 25, 2018. His impressive performances led to a transfer to Belgian club K.R.C. Genk in December 2020 for a fee of €3 million. He debuted for Genk on January 16, 2021, and later signed with AC Sparta Prague in September 2023 for €2.5 million, with potential add-ons. Preciado's European journey continued as he scored his first UEFA Europa League goal in February 2024.
International Career
Preciado's international career began with the Ecuador under-20 team, participating in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made his full international debut on October 12, 2018, against Qatar. He has since been selected for major tournaments, including the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Most recently, he was named in the squad for the 2024 Copa América and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Preciado has achieved significant honors, including winning the Copa Sudamericana with Independiente del Valle in 2019, the Belgian Cup with Genk in the 2020-21 season, and the Czech First League and Czech Cup with Sparta Prague in the 2023-24 season. His contributions to both club and country have solidified his status as a prominent figure in Ecuadorian football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
On 4 May 2017, Preciado was called up to Ecuador under-20s for the year's FIFA U-20 World Cup, On 30 August of the following year, he was called up to the full side by manager Hernán Darío Gómez, for two friendlies against Jamaica and Guatemala. Preciado made his full international debut on 12 October 2018, replacing Independiente teammate Stiven Plaza in a 4–3 loss against Qatar at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha. Preciado was selected in the 28 player Ecuador squad for the 2021 Copa América. Preciado was named in the Ecuadorian squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Preciado was called up to the final 26-man Ecuador squad for the 2024 Copa América. On 31 May 2026, Preciado was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Born in Shushufindi, Sucumbíos, Preciado joined Independiente del Valle's youth setup in 2015, from América de Quito. In February 2018, during the semifinals of the 2018 U-20 Copa Libertadores, he went viral after using the corner flag to defend himself from a fight with the River Plate Montevideo players. Promoted to the first team after playing a short period in the reserve team, Independiente Juniors, Preciado made his senior – and Serie A – debut on 9 July 2018, starting in a 3–1 away loss against Aucas. He soon became a regular starter, and scored his first goals on 25 August by netting a brace in a 4–2 home defeat of El Nacional. On 28 December 2020, Belgian Pro League club Genk announced the signing of Preciado on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for a further two years, for a reported fee of €3 million. He made his debut for the Belgian club on 16 January 2021, starting in a 2–0 away loss at Royal Excel Mouscron. On 4 September 2023, Czech First League club Sparta Prague announced the signing of Preciado for a reported fee of €2.5 million, which could increase to €3 million with add-ons. On 15 February 2024, he scored his first goal in the UEFA Europa League in a 3–2 defeat to Galatasaray. On 16 January 2026, Preciado joined Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Atlético Mineiro on a four-year contract.
Club
As of match played 29 August 2026
International
As of match played 5 October 2026
- Club
- Independiente del Valle
- Club
- Ecuador men's national football team (2018–)
- National team
- Ecuador
- Club
- AC Sparta Prague (2023–)
- Club
- K.R.C. Genk (2021–2023)
Legacy
Independiente del Valle
Copa Sudamericana: 2019 Genk
Belgian Cup: 2020–21 Sparta Prague
Czech First League: 2023–24 Czech Cup: 2023–24
Clubs
- Ecuador men's national football team2018current
- AC Sparta Prague2023current
- K.R.C. Genk2021–2023
- Independiente del Valle2021
Played together with
Aaron MokoenaK.R.C. Genk · 2003–2005- Abel MasueroK.R.C. Genk · 2011–2013
- Adam GabrielAC Sparta Prague · 2021–2022
Adam HložekAC Sparta Prague · 2018–2022
Adam JánošAC Sparta Prague · 2012–2015- Adam JánošAC Sparta Prague · 2016
Adam KarabecAC Sparta Prague
Adam NemecK.R.C. Genk · 2008–2009
Adam PetroušAC Sparta Prague · 2005–2006- Adam ŠevínskýAC Sparta Prague
- Adolf PatekAC Sparta Prague · 1926–1932
Adrie van KraayK.R.C. Genk · 1982–1984
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Ángelo Smit Preciado Quiñónez is an Ecuadorian professional footballer who plays as a right-back or winger for Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Atlético Mineiro and the Ecuador national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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