Diego Gavilán

Gavilán's nickname pampero – literally meaning the horse or the man that runs like the wind in the Pampa – offers a fair indication of his purposeful and hard-running style. He began his top-flight career at Cerro Porteño and he became the first-ever Paraguayan to play in England, when he signed for Newcastle United in 2000.

Newcastle United

Gavilan signed with the club in January 2000. On the eve of playing the 2000 Pre-Olympic CONMEBOL Tournament, was surprised by being transferred to Newcastle United, attending a meeting on one and then signing a contract the next day. Gavilán did not participate in the Pre-Olympic Tournament and went directly to his new club. Upon joining from Cerro Porteño, Gavilan was labelled Paraguay's David Beckham. Gavilán already studied English whilst in High School in Paraguay, but had to take classes twice a week once he was in Newcastle to improve his English. Gavilán cost Newcastle £2m when he left his native Paraguay behind at the age of just 19. He made his Premiership debut in a 2–2 draw at Sunderland. He struggled however, to stake a real claim for a first team place, making some appearances for the club as a substitute. He scored once in the league, against Coventry in a 2–0 win in April 2000. Gavilan mentioned the difference between English and Paraguayan football and the physicality in the Premier League, that he was tackled hardly by Jaap Stam in his first game against Manchester United. In December 2001, it was announced…

Gavilán coached Cerro Porteño U15 as of 2013. He coached Sergio Díaz. In May 2015, Gavilán was announced as coach of Independiente Campo Grande in Paraguay's Division Intermedia, second division. In July 2023, he was announced as coach of Cerro Porteño Paraguay's Primera Division, the top-tier division of the country.