Born in Cali, Colombia, Balanta moved to England when he was 5[2] and grew up in Fulham as a youth where he attended Hurlingham & Chelsea Secondary school.[citation needed] he then attended south thames college for a year, completing a construction course. Balanta progressed through the Queens Park Rangers youth system before being promoted to the first team in 2007. He had been spotted by QPR scouts playing for CB Hounslow United who play in the Combined Counties League.[3] He signed his first professional contract with QPR in January 2008, which will keep him at the club until 2010 and was given shirt number 36.[4]
He made his first team debut when he was brought on as a substitute, replacing Ben Sahar, against Crystal Palace on 4 December 2007. He made his first start against Watford on 29 December 2007.[5] In the 10th minute of the game, Balanta put Dexter Blackstock through with a looping ball which resulted in him being fouled and a penalty kick being given, which was scored by Martin Rowlands. In the 40th minute, Balanta won an aerial challenge against Lloyd Doyley and found unmarked Martin Rowlands with a lob.[5] Rowlands scored with a chip over Richard Lee from an acute angle. Balanta is highly rated at QPR and is the latest talent to break through the youth set up at Loftus Road.[4] On 5 January 2008, he made his FA Cup debut against Chelsea, coming on as a 65th-minute substitute for new signing Hogan Ephraim. On 23 February 2008, Balanta scored his first senior goal for QPR against Sheffield United at Loftus Road. The goal came in the 19th minute when Hogan Ephraim whipped in a cross into the near post where Balanta latched onto the ball. Rangers drew the game 1–1.[6]
At the start of the 2008–09 season, new manager Iain Dowie handed Balanta the number 19 shirt and gave him his first start in a League Cupthird round game away at Swindon Town, which was won 3–2, with Balanta scoring the first goal. On 13 November 2008, Balanta moved on loan to League Two side Wycombe Wanderers for three months.[7] He was recalled from his loan spell two weeks early having scored three goals in 11 games.[8][9]
In June 2010, Balanta moved on loan to Milton Keynes Dons for the entire 2010–11 season.[10] On 1 August 2011 Balanta returned to MK Dons for a five-month loan.[11][12]
In January 2012, Balanta returned to Queens Park Rangers and was given the number 46 shirt. In their game against Aston Villa he was placed on the bench.
On 28 July 2016, Balanta joined National League side Boreham Wood on a one-year deal.[19]
On 22 October 2018, he signed for fellow National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge[20] mere days after playing against them in the FA Cup, a game in which Boreham Wood chairman Danny Hunter stated 'his mind was understandably elsewhere'.[21] In the same statement, Hunter also revealed that Dagenham had initially seen two bids rejected before finally reaching agreement on a 'substantial deal' of undisclosed value.
After just short of five years at Dagenham, with the latter two being limited by injury, he left the club by mutual consent in the summer of 2023.[22] Former club Boreham Wood then announced his return there on 01 July, his 33rd birthday.[23]
Following Boreham Wood's relegation at the end of the 2023–24 season, Balanta was in talks regarding a new contract,[24] instead opting to join newly promoted National League South side Hornchurch.[25]
International career
In September 2008, the England Under-19 side placed Balanta on standby as a replacement were a player to withdraw from the team.[26]
Career statistics
As of match played 20 April 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
