Walter Orlando AyovÃÂ Corozo (; born 11 August 1979) is a former Ecuadorian professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He previously played as a left winger for Club Deportivo El Nacional in the Ecuadorian league and in the Ecuador national team, primarily in left defense. He is the cousin of fellow footballer Jaime AyovÃÂ, who also plays in the Ecuador national team. He also holds Mexican citizenship.
AyovÃÂ was born in Camarones, Esmeraldas. He was transferred to Barcelona Sporting Club from Emelec on 23 January 2002, for an undisclosed amount. Despite links to several European club sides, including Mainz 05, for whom he played two friendly matches, and Arminia Bielefeld, both of the German Bundesliga, AyovÃÂ remained on Barcelona's squad until 2006.
When he was transferred to El Nacional. In between contracts he has also played for the Al Wasl Club in Dubai, the UAE.
On 7 January 2009 rumors said that Club de Futbol Monterrey were interested in signing him. He was loaned to CF Monterrey shortly after, then made his debut on 6 February 2009 scoring his first goal on the 4th Week match against Estudiantes Tecos.
On 29 March 2009 CF Monterrey took their option to purchase AyovÃÂ after a spectacular game between Ecuador and Brazil. He renewed his Monterrey contract December 2011, with his future firmly set on the club.
On 15 July 2015, after two seasons with Pachuca, his former team came to terms and agreed to release AyovÃÂ.
On 26 July 2015, it was confirmed that Ayovàhad signed for newly ascended team, Dorados de Sinaloa, to join his compatriots Marcos Caicedo, Segundo Castillo, and Christian Suárez.
On 9 December 2015, it was confirmed that AyovÃÂ would be returning to the Rayados de Monterrey.
In June 2022, AyovÃÂ returned to professional football by signing with the Major Arena Soccer League's Monterrey Flash.
AyovÃÂ was called up to the final squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in Japan and South Korea. Being one of the youngest members in that Ecuador team, he did not make an appearance in that tournament. He was a regular in the Ecuador national team that qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany but this time, surprisingly, he was not included in the final World Cup squad.
He was, however, called up to participate in the 2007 Copa América and scored a free kick against Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly. His two appearances Copa América came as a substitute against Mexico and as a starter against Brazil.
Ayovàbecame an important fixture in the Ecuador side that is competing in the CONMEBOL 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He solidified his starting position with a double against neighbors Peru in a 5âÂÂ1 victory. On 11 June 2009, he scored against Argentina, leading Ecuador to a 2âÂÂ0 win.
During the CONMEBOL 2014 World Cup qualifiers, AyovÃÂ played in all 16 of the qualifying games for Ecuador, helping the team to qualify for the tournament finals in Brazil. AyovÃÂ went on to play in every minute of Ecuador's World Cup campaign, starting at left back in the team's three Group E matches.
On 31 March 2015, Ayovàwas capped for the 100th time by Ecuador in a 2âÂÂ1 friendly loss to Argentina in New Jersey. Later that year, he was included in Ecuador's squad for the 2015 Copa América and captained La Tri in the opening match of the tournament, a 2âÂÂ0 loss to hosts Chile in Santiago.
Emelec
El Nacional
Monterrey