Former Ecuador national team defender Pedro Perlaza kidnapped by unknown assailants
Ecuadorian footballer Pedro Perlaza, who previously played for Ecuador’s Barcelona SC and Juventus de Esmeraldas, has reportedly been abducted in the province of Esmeraldas, near the Colombian border, The Sun reports.
Perlaza’s family announced his kidnapping on Monday evening, suggesting the incident occurred earlier that day. Reports state that Perlaza was stopped on the road by a motorcyclist who forced him to leave with them to an undisclosed location. Police have launched an investigation.
"Following the alleged involuntary disappearance of citizens Pedro P. and Juan M. in Esmeraldas, following the filing of the respective complaint by their relatives, Police Ecuador immediately began investigative and operational work around this incident," reads the official statement from the police.
A teammate of Perlaza from his current club, Delfín SC, mentioned that he last saw Pedro during the team’s training session on Sunday at 4 p.m. The entire team is deeply concerned and hopes their friend will be found safe and unharmed.
Pedro Perlaza has previously represented the Ecuador national team, earning three caps during his international career.
Yasmine Green
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
