View source for Wilson Palacios

{{short description|Honduran footballer (born 1984)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{family name hatnote|Palacios|Suazo|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name        = Wilson Palacios
| image       = Wilson Palacios National Team.jpg
| image_size  =
| upright     = 1
| caption     = Palacios with [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]] in 2008
| fullname    = Wilson Roberto Palacios Suazo<ref name="Soccerway"/>
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1984|7|29|df=y}}<ref name="Premier League">{{cite web |title=Wilson Palacios Profile |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3527/Wilson-Palacios/overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=8 March 2019}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[La Ceiba]], Honduras
| height      = 1.78 m<ref name="Premier League"/>
| position    = [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|Defensive midfielder]]
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber  = 
| youthyears1 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs1 = [[C.D. Victoria|Victoria]]
| years1 = 2002–2008 | clubs1 = [[C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia]]                          | caps1 = 102 | goals1 = 32
| years2 = 2007–2008 | clubs2 = → [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan) | caps2 = 7   | goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2008–2009 | clubs3 = [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]            | caps3 = 37  | goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2009–2011 | clubs4 = [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]      | caps4 = 65  | goals4 = 1
| years5 = 2011–2015 | clubs5 = [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]                    | caps5 = 38  | goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2016 | clubs6 = [[Miami FC]]                                | caps6 = 18  | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2018–2019 | clubs7 = [[C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia]]                          | caps7 = 3   | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2019      | clubs8 = [[C.D. Real Sociedad|Real Sociedad]]              | caps8 = 9   | goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 279 | totalgoals = 33
| nationalyears1 = 2003–2014| nationalteam1 = [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]]| nationalcaps1 = 97| nationalgoals1 = 5
}}

'''Wilson Roberto Palacios Suazo''' ({{IPA|es|ˈwilsom paˈlasjos}};{{efn|In isolation, ''Wilson'' is pronounced {{IPA|es|ˈwilson|}}.}} born 29 July 1984) is a Honduran former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Midfielder#Defensive midfielder|defensive midfielder]].

Born in [[La Ceiba]], he played for [[C.D. Victoria|Victoria]] and [[C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia]] in Honduras before moving to England, where he played for [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] and [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]. In 2009, he joined [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], generally playing central defensive midfield as he did for Wigan, though he was occasionally used as a right midfielder for Spurs. In August 2011, Palacios joined [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £6 million. He struggled to make an impact in his four seasons at Stoke, however, and left the club in 2015. He subsequently had a spell in the [[North American Soccer League (2011)|North American Soccer League]] with [[Miami FC|Miami]], before returning to Honduras where he played for Olimpia and [[C.D. Real Sociedad|Real Sociedad]]. He retired in December 2019.

He was a regular player for [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]] from 2003 to 2014, helping them qualify for and playing at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] and [[2014 FIFA World Cup]]s.

==Club career==

===Olimpia===
Palacios, along with brothers [[Milton Palacios Suazo|Milton]], [[Jerry Palacios|Jerry]], [[Johnny Palacios|Johnny]] and Edwin, started his career as a [[association football|footballer]] with [[C.D. Victoria|Victoria]], from which all five players were later transferred to [[C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia]].

Palacios made 102 appearances and scored 32 goals for Olimpia. He became one of the idols of the team and quickly started to attract international attention after winning five league titles with Olimpia in the [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras 2002-03 Apertura|2002–03 Apertura]] tournament, as well as the [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras 2003-04 Clausura|2003–04 Clausura]], [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras 2004-05 Clausura|2004–05 Clausura]], [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras 2005-06 Apertura|2005–06 Apertura]] and the [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras 2005-06 Clausura|2005–06 Clausura]] tournaments. He is especially remembered for scoring a goal from the half-way line against [[C.D. Marathón|Marathón]] in the final minutes of a game in 2006 to win the [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras 2005-06 Clausura|2005–06 Clausura]] tournament to become champions of Honduras.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terra.com/deportes/articulo/html/fox328029.htm |title=El Olimpia se afianza en liderato tras vencer 3–2 al Marathón |language=es |trans-title=Olimpia clinch the title after beating Marathón 3–2 |website=Terra |date=13 November 2006 |access-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321231805/http://www.terra.com/deportes/articulo/html/fox328029.htm |archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>

After having a very successful career in Honduras, Palacios looked to make his name in the European leagues. On 14 July 2007, Palacios announced that he would travel to Serbia for a couple of months for a trial with [[Red Star Belgrade]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terra.com/deportes/articulo/html/fox418991.htm |title=Hondureño Wilson Palacios viaja a prueba con el Estrella Roja de Belgrado |language=es |trans-title=Honduran Wilson Palacios is going to trial with Red Star Belgrade |website=Terra |date=14 July 2007 |access-date=1 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321231808/http://www.terra.com/deportes/articulo/html/fox418991.htm |archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> He stayed for less than a month and despite impressing during his stay, he did not join the club after Red Star refused to pay a salary of, reportedly, [[United States dollar|US$]]1.5&nbsp;million for a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.b92.net/sport/fudbal/vesti.php?yyyy=2007&mm=07&dd=26&nav_id=256951 |title=CZ: Bez dogovora sa Palasiosom |language=sr |trans-title=Red Star: No deal with Palacios |website=B92 |date=26 July 2007 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Palacios also had trials with [[Cagliari Calcio|Cagliari]], [[AS Monaco FC|AS Monaco]], and [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].<ref name="Amazing journey">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/wilson-palacios-my-amazing-journey-1418132.html |title=Wilson Palacios: My amazing journey |first=Ian |last=Herbert |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=17 January 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>

===Birmingham City (loan)===
[[File:Wilson Palacios.jpg|thumb|upright|Palacios preparing to take a corner kick for Birmingham]]
After a recommendation from Arsenal's manager, [[Arsène Wenger]], [[Premier League]] club [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] gave Palacios a trial which proved successful,<ref name="Amazing journey"/> and he signed a six-month [[loan (football)|loan]] on 31 August 2007.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6973109.stm |title=Birmingham sign Honduran Palacios |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2007 |access-date=1 February 2009}}</ref> He made his debut on 22 September in a goalless draw with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Anfield]],<ref name="2007/2008"/> and in October, manager [[Steve Bruce]], who likened Palacios to a young [[Paul Ince]], said that Birmingham intended to make his loan a permanent transfer.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-keen-on-permanent-palacios-deal-45547 |title=Blues keen on permanent Palacios deal |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=4 October 2007 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> However, Bruce left for [[Wigan Athletic]], and the player's absence following [[#Personal life|his brother's kidnap]] meant that new manager [[Alex McLeish]] had not seen enough of him to sign him permanently.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mcleish-palacios-was-just-too-risky-56212 |title=McLeish: Palacios was just too risky |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 January 2008 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>

===Wigan Athletic===
On 11 January 2008, Palacios re-joined Bruce at Wigan Athletic for an undisclosed fee,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7184173.stm |title=Wigan complete Palacios signing |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 January 2008 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> and made his debut the following day against [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7172806.stm |title=Derby 0–1 Wigan |first=Derby |last=McIntyre |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 January 2008 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> He became an important piece in Bruce's system and was linked to the likes of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] and [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1710/manchester-united/2009/01/15/1061366/manchester-united-back-in-for-wilson-palacios |title=Manchester United back in for Wilson Palacios? |first=Mike |last=Maguire |publisher=Goal |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=27 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116225739/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1710/manchester-united/2009/01/15/1061366/manchester-united-back-in-for-wilson-palacios |archive-date=16 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/699/tottenham/2009/01/20/1069934/wilson-palacios-joins-tottenham-hotspur-reports |title=Wilson Palacios joins Tottenham Hotspur – reports |first=Zack |last=Wilson |publisher=Goal |date=20 January 2009 |access-date=27 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220140510/http://goal.com/en/news/699/tottenham/2009/01/20/1069934/wilson-palacios-joins-tottenham-hotspur-reports |archive-date=20 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/steve-bruce-warns-liverpool-off-a-swoop-730072 |title=Steve Bruce warns Liverpool off a swoop for Wilson Palacios |newspaper=The Mirror |date=22 August 2008 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> On 16 January 2009, Bruce stated that a deal with [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] for Palacios was "virtually agreed"; he said Palacios leaving would be "like losing his right arm" and did not want to part with "one of the best midfield players in the country."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/01/16/tottenham-tie-up-wilson-palacios-deal-steve-bruce-bemoans-loss-of-right-arm-115875-21045598/ |title=Tottenham tie up Wilson Palacios deal; Steve Bruce bemoans loss of "right arm" |newspaper=The Mirror |date=16 January 2009 |access-date=27 January 2009}}</ref> The deal was confirmed five days later.

===Tottenham Hotspur===
[[File:Wilson Palacios Spurs 2009.jpg|thumb|upright|Palacios playing for Spurs]]Despite having reservations about moving to London from [[North West England|the north-west of England]] where he was settled,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7840642.stm |title=Tottenham agree deal for Palacios |publisher=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Palacios agreed personal terms on a {{frac|5|1|2}}-year contract with [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]], committing his future to the club until 2014. On 21 January 2009, the club announced to the [[London Stock Exchange]] that they had agreed a fee of £12&nbsp;million for Palacios and that the player had passed his medical, but that the transfer could only be completed once he received a [[work permit]].<ref name=LSEAnnouncement>{{cite web |url=http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=2073414 |title=Regulatory Announcement: Tottenham Hotspur plc: Player transfer |publisher=London Stock Exchange |date=21 January 2009 |access-date=21 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009221812/http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail.html?announcementId=2073414 |archive-date=9 October 2010}}</ref> He made his Tottenham debut in a 3–2 defeat to [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] on 31 January, and assisted with the second goal after Bolton goalkeeper [[Jussi Jääskeläinen]] parried Palacios' shot and [[Darren Bent]] put in the rebound.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7856381.stm |title=Bolton 3–2 Tottenham |first=Sam |last=Lyon |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>

His battling performance in his second match, against local rivals Arsenal, earned him the [[man of the match]] award,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3089746,00.html |title=Spurs held by depleted Gunners |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 February 2009 |access-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009110516/http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/13201/report |archive-date=9 October 2012}}</ref> since when he had some excellent performances in the Spurs midfield. He was [[cup-tied]] for the [[2009 Football League Cup Final]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/feb/24/roman-pavlyuchenko-spurs-carling-cup |title=Pavlyuchenko concerned about starting for Spurs in the Carling Cup final |first=David |last=Hytner |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=24 February 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Palacios scored his first goal in English football against [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] on 19 August 2009 after a through ball by [[Robbie Keane]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8202440.stm |title=Hull 1–5 Tottenham |first=Sam |last=Lyon |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 August 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> After scoring, Palacios pointed towards the sky in honour of his murdered brother Edwin, whose body had been found earlier in the year.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/honduras/6607315/Wilson-Palacios-Honduras-star-player-at-World-Cup-2010.html |title=Wilson Palacios: Honduras star player at World Cup 2010 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=20 November 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Manager [[Harry Redknapp]] appreciated Palacios' ability to make Tottenham difficult to play against, comparing his style and effectiveness to that of [[Graham Roberts]] some 25 years earlier.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/aug/23/tottenham-hotspur-wilson-palacios |title=Wilson Palacios shines as Harry's hard man to give Tottenham an edge |first=Amy |last=Lawrence |newspaper=The Guardian  |location=London |date=23 August 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> During the [[2009–10 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2009–10 season]], he played 43 matches for Tottenham and helped the club reach the [[UEFA Champions League]] for the first time. The following season, Palacios was restricted to 16 starts in the Premier League,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10310~41667,00.html |title=Wilson Palacios |publisher=Stoke City F.C. |access-date=21 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925174415/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10310~41667,00.html |archive-date=25 September 2011}}</ref> though he did play a key role in Tottenham's run to the [[2010–11 UEFA Champions League#Quarter-finals|quarter-final of the Champions League]].

===Stoke City===
Palacios joined [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] on 31 August 2011, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported as £6&nbsp;million; his Spurs team-mate [[Peter Crouch]] also joined Stoke on the same day.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14693876.stm |title=Tottenham Hotspur's Wilson Palacios seals move to Stoke City |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2011 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> Both made their debuts in a 1–0 win against Liverpool on 10 September.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/14773121.stm |title=Stoke 1–0 Liverpool |first=John |last=Sinnott |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 September 2011 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> The start to his Stoke career, however, was restricted by a knee injury and [[tonsillitis]],<ref name=PulisFitness/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/sport/football/article/stoke-city-v-dynamo-kiev-upson-wants-breathing-space-9v5h0kg8tbk |title=Stoke City v Dynamo Kiev: Upson wants breathing space |first=Peter |last=Lansley |newspaper=[[The Times]] |location=London |date=1 December 2011 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> and he eventually made his first league start on 21 December away at [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2555038,00.html |title=Palacios handed league debut |publisher=Stoke City F.C. |date=21 December 2011 |access-date=5 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315172508/http://www.stokecityfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10310~2555038,00.html |archive-date=15 March 2012}}</ref> Palacios was never a regular that season, although he did start the majority of the team's European fixtures. Manager [[Tony Pulis]] revealed that his fitness level and a long-standing knee injury had been the problem and that the fans would not see the best of him before he had undergone a full pre-season training schedule.<ref name=PulisFitness>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7635633/ |title=Pulis tips Palacios to be a hit |publisher=Sky Sports |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=29 March 2012}}</ref> However, in [[2012–13 Stoke City F.C. season|2012–13]], he was unable to get into the starting line-up; he made just four league appearances, all as a substitute.<ref name="2012/2013"/>

Palacios was named by [[Mark Hughes]] to start the first match of the [[2013–14 Stoke City F.C. season|2013–14]] season, away at Liverpool, but he pulled out after feeling ill in the warm-up and was taken to hospital where he underwent what was described as a minor surgical procedure.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8876243/ |title=Premier League: Stoke midfielder Wilson Palacios sidelined by 'minor surgical procedure' |publisher=Sky Sports |date=17 August 2013 |access-date=17 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214211613/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8876243/ |archive-date=14 December 2013}}</ref> Palacios enjoyed more playing time under Hughes in 2013–14, playing 21 times as Stoke finished ninth in the Premier League.<ref name="2013/2014"/> Stoke tried to sell Palacios in the summer of 2014 to Middle Eastern club [[Qatar SC]], but that club reported that he failed a medical.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Wilson-Palacios-s-Qatar-falls-Potters/story-21739246-detail/story.html |title=Wilson Palacios's Qatar move falls through as Potters look for new deal |newspaper=Stoke Sentinel |date=22 July 2014 |access-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723192907/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Wilson-Palacios-s-Qatar-falls-Potters/story-21739246-detail/story.html |archive-date=23 July 2014}}</ref> Hughes selected Palacios just five times for the matchday squad in the [[2014–15 Stoke City F.C. season|2014–15 season]]; on each occasion, he was an unused substitute. He was released at the end of the season, having made 53 appearances in four years.<ref>{{cite book|title=Stoke City v Liverpool Official Matchday Magazine|date=24 May 2015|publisher=O Publishing|location=Stoke-on-Trent}}</ref> Stoke chairman [[Peter Coates]] defended his signing: "He was such a good player at Wigan and Spurs, where he only lost his place to [[Luka Modrić|[Luka] Modrić]]. We certainly thought at the time we were getting a very good player, but for whatever reason it hasn't worked out. I know he has had personal problems in the past – his brother was kidnapped and killed in 2009 – but sometimes you just don't know the reason why things don't work out. It's a great shame because it has cost us a huge amount of money, but it's also a shame for the player because his career hasn't developed either. We all lost. He did, we did."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Peter-Coates-defends-Wilson-Palacios/story-26376078-detail/story.html |title=Peter Coates defends Wilson Palacios signing |newspaper=Stoke Sentinel |date=23 April 2015 |access-date=25 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425232219/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Peter-Coates-defends-Wilson-Palacios/story-26376078-detail/story.html |archive-date=25 April 2015}}</ref>

===Later career===
Following his release from Stoke, Palacios went on trial at Hull City, though he did not sign with the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Wilson-Palacios-joins-Hull-City-trial-summer/story-26900781-detail/story.html |title=Wilson Palacios joins Hull City on trial and could become first summer signing |first=James |last=Smailes |newspaper=Hull Daily Mail |date=15 July 2015 |access-date=31 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719014113/https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Wilson-Palacios-joins-Hull-City-trial-summer/story-26900781-detail/story.html |archive-date=19 July 2015}}</ref> On 10 December 2015, Palacios joined newly formed [[North American Soccer League (2011)|North American Soccer League]] club [[Miami FC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.miamifc.com/news/2015/12/10/miami-fc-makes-big-strides-toward-2016-nasl-season |title=Miami FC makes big strides toward 2016 NASL season |publisher=Miami FC |date=10 December 2015 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925215919/http://www.miamifc.com/news/2015/12/10/miami-fc-makes-big-strides-toward-2016-nasl-season |archive-date=25 September 2018}}</ref> He made 18 appearances during the [[2016 North American Soccer League season|2016 season]] before being released in November 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.miamifc.com/news/2016/11/21/the-miami-fc-announces-roster-adjustments |title=The Miami FC announces roster adjustments |website=Miami FC |date=21 November 2016 |access-date=11 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622193659/http://www.miamifc.com/news/2016/11/21/the-miami-fc-announces-roster-adjustments |archive-date=22 June 2017}}</ref>

He returned to Honduras where he played for his former club, Olimpia, and for [[C.D. Real Sociedad|Real Sociedad]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.laprensa.hn/deportes/1307401-410/wilson-palacios-real-sociedad-tocoa-mercado-fichajes-liga-nacional |title=¡Sorpresa! Wilson Palacios jugará en la Real Sociedad de Tocoa |language=es |trans-title=Surprise! Wilson Palacios will be playing for Real Sociedad de Tocoa |website=La Prensa |location=Honduras |date=4 August 2019 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref> In December 2019, he announced his retirement from playing with the intention of becoming a [[sports agent|players' agent]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latribuna.hn/2019/12/28/real-sociedad-anuncia-salida-de-wilson-palacios/ |title=Real Sociedad anuncia salida de Wilson Palacios |language=es |trans-title=Real Sociedad announce the departure of Wilson Palacios |newspaper=La Tribuna |location=Honduras |date=28 December 2019 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>

==International career==
Palacios wore the number 8 jersey with the [[Honduras national football team|Honduras national team]]. He made his debut for the senior squad in an April 2003 [[Exhibition game#International football|friendly]] against [[Paraguay national football team|Paraguay]] and went on to play 97 matches with Honduras, scoring four goals, in an international career lasting from 2003 to 2014. Together with [[David Suazo]], Palacios is one of the best known Honduran international players.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8676229.stm |title=Welcome change for Honduras squad |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=11 May 2010}}</ref>

In the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in [[South Africa]], Honduras achieved a historical distinction by including [[Jerry Palacios|Jerry]], [[Johnny Palacios|Johnny]] and Wilson Palacios in their squad. They became the first trio of brothers to represent a single nation in the World Cup.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8742714.stm |title=World Cup 2010: Palacios brothers to create history |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2010 |access-date=16 June 2010}}</ref>

Palacios was [[sent off]] in the first half of their opening game of the 2014 World Cup against [[France national football team|France]] for two bookable offences; Honduras went on to lose 3–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25285092 |title=France 3-0 Honduras |first=Saj |last=Chowdhury |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 June 2014 |access-date=16 June 2014}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Palacios is the brother of [[Milton Palacios Suazo|Milton]], [[Jerry Palacios|Jerry]], [[Johnny Palacios|Johnny]] and Edwin. On 30 October 2007, his brother Edwin, then aged 14,<ref name=EdwinAge/><ref name=bodyfound/> was [[kidnapping|kidnapped]] by five armed men from the family home in [[La Ceiba]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/oct/31/newsstory.birminghamcityfc |title=Birmingham confirm kidnap of midfielder's brother |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=31 October 2007 |access-date=13 January 2008}}</ref> In November 2007, the family paid a £125,000 ransom and it was reported that Edwin had been released,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7096339.stm |title=Palacios relieved brother is free |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 November 2007 |access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> but this proved not to be the case.<ref name="Amazing journey"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7098062.stm |title=Player's brother 'still captive' |publisher=BBC News |date=16 November 2007 |access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref> In January 2009, Palacios' mother made a televised appeal for the kidnappers to open communication with the family, expressing her need to find out if Edwin was still alive, her fears that Palacios' big-money transfer to Tottenham would only strengthen the kidnappers' demands, and a request for help from the British authorities. She stressed that Palacios' team received the transfer fee but the player had only his salary, and that the family's situation was distressing for him.<ref name=EdwinAge>{{cite news |url=https://www.laprensa.hn/deportes/510809-97/el-wigan-recibe-el-dinero-no-wilson-orfilia |title="El Wigan recibe el dinero, no Wilson": Orfilia |language=es |trans-title="Wigan get the money, not Wilson": Orfilia |newspaper=La Prensa |location=Honduras |date=23 January 2009 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=Mirror090207>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/02/07/wilson-palacios-exclusive-spurs-star-s-mum-on-the-search-for-his-kidnapped-brother-edwin-115875-21103156/ |title=Wilson Palacios exclusive: Spurs' star's mum on the search for his kidnapped brother Edwin |first1=Martin |last1=Fricker |first2=Michael |last2=Brennan |newspaper=The Mirror |location=London |date=7 February 2009 |access-date=9 February 2009 |quote=I need to find out about my little boy He was only 14 when he was taken. I need to know if he's dead or if he's still alive. I can't take any more of this pain. My children went into football and that has brought problems for my family, but they only ever wanted fame, not money. ... Wilson's team gets the transfer money, he only gets his salary. I am obviously very happy for Wilson but my heart is with my poor little boy Edwin, my baby. I need the people who watch Wilson play football to know he's carrying a big sadness with him. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209064220/https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/02/07/wilson-palacios-exclusive-spurs-star-s-mum-on-the-search-for-his-kidnapped-brother-edwin-115875-21103156/ |archive-date=9 February 2009}}</ref>

On 8 May 2009, following a confession from two leaders of the [[18th Street gang]], police found a body in the municipality of [[El Paraíso, Omoa|El Paraíso]] which they believed to be the remains of Edwin.<ref name=bodyfound>{{cite news |url=http://www.laprensa.hn/Deportes/Ediciones/2009/05/08/Noticias/Creen-que-osamenta-sea-de-hermano-de-Wilson |title=Creen que osamenta sea de hermano de Wilson |language=es |trans-title=Remains believed to be those of Wilson's brother |newspaper=La Prensa |location=Honduras |date=8 May 2009 |access-date=28 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100512015105/http://www.laprensa.hn/Deportes/Ediciones/2009/05/08/Noticias/Creen-que-osamenta-sea-de-hermano-de-Wilson |archive-date=12 May 2010}}</ref> Palacios returned home to Honduras the next day on compassionate leave.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8042102.stm |title=Palacios brother feared murdered |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2009 |access-date=11 May 2009}}</ref> On 28 May, the body was confirmed as that of Edwin, and his funeral was held the following day in La Ceiba.<ref name=funeral>{{cite news |url=http://www.laprensa.hn/Sucesos/Ediciones/2009/05/29/Noticias/Dolor-e-impotencia-en-el-sepelio-de-Edwin-Palacios |title=Dolor e impotencia en el sepelio de Edwin Palacios |language=es |trans-title=Pain and powerlessness at the funeral of Edwin Palacios |first=Ninoska |last=Morales |newspaper=La Prensa |location=Honduras |date=29 May 2009 |access-date=28 June 2010}}</ref> On 30 May, despite his loss, Wilson Palacios joined up with the national team to train in preparation for the World Cup qualifying games against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] and [[El Salvador national football team|El Salvador]].{{citation needed|date=October 2020}}

In September 2011, Palacios had his car confiscated by [[Staffordshire Police]] after he failed to provide them with his driving licence.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/10/01/wilson-palacios-has-his-200-000-bentley-confiscated-by-cops-115875-23458023/ |title=Wilson Palacios has his £200,000 Bentley confiscated by cops |first=Martin |last=Fricker |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=1 October 2011 |access-date=5 October 2011}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/wilson-palacios/10253/ |title=W. Palacios |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National Cup
!colspan="2"|League Cup
!colspan="2"|Continental
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia]]
|[[2001–02 Honduran Liga Nacional|2001–02]]
|[[Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras|Liga Nacional Honduras]]
|9||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||||
|-
|[[2002–03 Honduran Liga Nacional|2002–03]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|12||2||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||||
|-
|[[2003–04 Honduran Liga Nacional|2003–04]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|17||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||||
|-
|[[2004–05 Honduran Liga Nacional|2004–05]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|24||3||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||||
|-
|[[2005–06 Honduran Liga Nacional|2005–06]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|33||11||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||||
|-
|[[2006–07 Honduran Liga Nacional|2006–07]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|37||13||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||||
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!132!!32!!colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||132!!32
|-
|[[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] (loan)
|[[2007–08 Birmingham City F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="2007/2008">{{Soccerbase season|35456|2007|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|[[Premier League]]
|7||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||7||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]]
|[[2007–08 Wigan Athletic F.C. season|2007–08]]<ref name="2007/2008"/>
|Premier League
|16||0||1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||17||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Wigan Athletic F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="2008/2009">{{Soccerbase season|35456|2008|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|21||0||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||24||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!37!!0!!2!!0!!2!!0!!0!!0!!41!!0
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]
|[[2008–09 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2008–09]]<ref name="2008/2009"/>
|Premier League
|11||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||12||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|35456|2009|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|33||1||7||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||43||1
|-
|[[2010–11 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2010–11]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|35456|2010|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|21||0||1||0||1||0||8||0||31||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!65!!1!!8!!0!!4!!0!!9!!0!!86!!1
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]
|[[2011–12 Stoke City F.C. season|2011–12]]<ref>{{Soccerbase season|35456|2011|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|18||0||1||0||1||0||8||0||28||0
|-
|[[2012–13 Stoke City F.C. season|2012–13]]<ref name="2012/2013">{{Soccerbase season|35456|2012|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|4||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||4||0
|-
|[[2013–14 Stoke City F.C. season|2013–14]]<ref name="2013/2014">{{Soccerbase season|35456|2013|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|16||0||1||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||21||0
|-
|[[2014–15 Stoke City F.C. season|2014–15]]<ref name="2014/2015">{{Soccerbase season|35456|2014|access-date=26 February 2014}}</ref>
|Premier League
|0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||0||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!38!!0!!2!!0!!5!!0!!8!!0!!53!!0
|-
|[[Miami FC]]
|[[2016 North American Soccer League season|2016]]<ref name="Soccerway"/>
|[[North American Soccer League (2011)|North American Soccer League]]
|18||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||18||0
|-
|[[C.D. Olimpia|Olimpia]]
|[[2017–18 Honduran Liga Nacional|2017–18]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0
|-
|[[C.D. Real Sociedad|Real Sociedad]]
|[[2018–19 Honduran Liga Nacional|2018–19]]
|Liga Nacional Honduras
|9||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||9||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!279!!33!!12!!0!!11!!0!!17!!0!!319!!33
|}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="RSSSF">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/wpalacios-intl.html |title=Wilson Roberto Palacios – International Appearances |first=Roberto |last=Mamrud |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=25 October 2020}}</ref>
|-
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan=13 | [[Honduras national football team|Honduras]]
|-
|2003||5||0
|-
|2004||10||0
|-
|2005||12||1
|-
|2006||6||1
|-
|2007||13||0
|-
|2008||11||2
|-
|2009||10||0
|-
|2010||6||0
|-
|2011||2||0
|-
|2012||6||0
|-
|2013||11||1
|-
|2014||5||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total||97||5
|}

===International goals===
:''Scores and results list Honduras's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Palacios goal.''
{| class="wikitable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Wilson Palacios<ref name="RSSSF"/>
|-
! {{tooltip|No.|Goal number}} !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| align="center" | 1. || 21 February 2005 || [[Estadio Mateo Flores]], [[Guatemala City]], Guatemala || {{fb|BLZ}} || align="center" | 4–0 || align="center" | 4–0 || [[UNCAF Nations Cup 2005]]
|-
| align="center" | 2. || 6 September 2006 || [[Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino]], [[Tegucigalpa]], Honduras || {{fb|SLV}} || align="center" | 2–0 || align="center" | 2–0 || [[Exhibition game#International football|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center" | 3. || 4 June 2008 || [[Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano]], [[San Pedro Sula]], Honduras || {{fb|PRI}} || align="center" | 2–0 || align="center" | 4–0 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
| align="center" | 4. || 14 June 2008 || [[Estadio Juan Ramón Loubriel]], [[Bayamón]], Puerto Rico || {{fb|PRI}} || align="center" | 2–2 || align="center" | 2–2 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
|-
| align="center" | 5. || 10 September 2013 || Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino, Tegucigalpa, Honduras || {{fb|PAN}} || align="center" | 2–2 || align="center" | 2–2 || [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]]
|-
|}

==Honours==

===Club===
'''CD Olimpia'''
* [[Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras]] (5): [[2002–03 Honduran Liga Nacional#Apertura|2002–03 Apertura]], [[2003–04 Honduran Liga Nacional#Clausura|2003–04 Clausura]], [[2004–05 Honduran Liga Nacional#Clausura|2004–05 Clausura]], [[2005–06 Honduran Liga Nacional#Apertura|2005–06 Apertura]], [[2005–06 Honduran Liga Nacional#Clausura|2005–06 Clausura]]

===Individual===
* [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.]] Supporters Clubs' Best Team Player: [[2009–10 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|2009–10]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news-archive-1/gareth-daws-scoop-awards/ |title=Gareth, Daws scoop awards |publisher=Tottenham Hotspur F.C. |date=3 May 2010 |access-date=24 October 2020}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Wilson Palacios}}
*{{FIFA player|209827}}
*{{NFT player|2932}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Honduras squads
|bg=blue
|fg=white
|list1=
{{Honduras squad 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Honduras squad 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Honduras squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Honduras squad 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Honduras squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Palacios, Wilson}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from La Ceiba]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Garifuna people]]
[[Category:Honduran men's footballers]]
[[Category:21st-century Honduran sportsmen]]
[[Category:Honduras men's international footballers]]
[[Category:C.D. Victoria players]]
[[Category:C.D. Olimpia players]]
[[Category:Birmingham City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players]]
[[Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Miami FC players]]
[[Category:C.D. Real Sociedad players]]
[[Category:Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:North American Soccer League (2011–2017) players]]
[[Category:2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:Honduran expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Honduran expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Honduran expatriate sportspeople in the United States]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States]]