Clubs: CD Olimpia, Birmingham City FC (loan), Wigan Athletic FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC

• One of five footballing brothers, Palacios started out with hometown club CD Victoria before transferring to Olimpia, where he won five Honduran titles (two Apertura, three Clausura) during a six-year spell.

• Made his international debut for Honduras in 2003 − in a 1-1 draw with Paraguay − and represented his country at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2005 and 2007 while still with Olimpia.

• Had trials in Europe with FK Crvena zvezda and Arsenal FC before joining Birmingham on loan in the autumn of 2007/08; followed manager Steve Bruce to Wigan in the new year, signing a permanent deal and proving his Premier League credentials over next 12 months before leaving for Tottenham.

• Proved influential in helping Honduras qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup – despite having to deal with the grief caused by the kidnap and death of one of his brothers, Edwin; joined two other brothers, Jhony and Jerry, in the squad for South Africa, where he started all three matches.

• Made 33 Premier League appearances (29 from the start) as Tottenham finished fourth in 2009/10 and qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.