Sergio Peña (Peruvian footballer)


Sergio Fernando Peña Flores is a Peruvian footballer who plays for Dutch club FC Emmen as an attacking midfielder.

Club career

Born in Lima, Peña finished his formation with hometown's Alianza Lima, after joining the club's youth setup in 2003, aged eight. On 18 February 2012, aged only 16, he made his first team debut, starting in a 2–2 home draw against León de Huánuco for the Torneo Descentralizado championship. It was his maiden appearance of the season, under manager Pepe Soto.
Peña was made a starter by new manager Wilmar Valencia for the 2013 campaign. On 16 March 2013 he played his first Peruvian Clásico, replacing Henry Quinteros in the 69th minute and providing the assist for Yordy Reyna's winning goal in the 84th minute.
On 23 May 2013 Peña was sold to an investment group linked to Udinese Calcio and Granada CF. He was assigned to the latter's reserves in Segunda División B.
Peña subsequently had loans to his former club Alianza Lima and Universidad de San Martín de Porres, before returning to Granada and its reserve team in January 2017. On 1 September of that year, he extended his contract until 2020 and was definitely promoted to the main squad.
On 13 July 2018, Peña was loaned to Primeira Liga side C.D. Tondela on a one-year deal. On 3 August of the following year, he signed for Eredivisie side FC Emmen on a three-year contract.

International career

He was named in Peru's senior squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Chile in September 2016, as well as the qualifiers against Venezuela and Uruguay in March 2017. In May 2018, he was named in Peru’s provisional 24 man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, a few days later he was taken off the provisional 24 man squad to make room for Paolo Guerrero. With Pena saying “It was the hardest day of my career.”