Regarded as one of the best defenders on show at Germany 2006 by no less an authority than Pep Guardiola, who even said that Barcelona should sign him, Ricardo Osorio went on to join Bundesliga side Stuttgart at the end of the finals. Teaming up there with compatriot Pavel Pardo, the move could not have worked out better for Osorio, with the men in red winning the league title in his very first season.

The versatile 30-year-old defender has stayed in Germany ever since, although injuries and managerial changes restricted his participation during the season just past. A centre-half for his country and anything from a right-back, libero and man-marking central defender for his club, the experienced Osorio is looking for a change of scene just as soon as South Africa 2010 comes to an end.

Always a dependable performer for his country, he has amassed over 70 international caps and is expected to make a crucial contribution in what will be his second FIFA World Cup™ finals, four years on from that polished showing in Germany.