Federico Peña (footballer)

Federico Rafael Mendes Peña (born 30 March 1999) is a Trinidadian professional footballer who plays for Swedish club Umeå FC in the Ettan.

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Mendes and the second or paternal family name is Peña.
Federico Peña
Peña with Valour FC in 2021
Personal information
Full name Federico Rafael Mendes Peña
Date of birth (1999-03-30) 30 March 1999
Place of birth Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Fullback, Winger
Team information
Current team
 Umeå FC
Youth career
2009–2013 Winnipeg South End United SC
2013–2015 Bonivital SC
2015–2017 Granite United
2017 Gent
2018 Standard Liège
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 Valour FC 59 (0)
2023– Umeå FC 0 (0)
International career‡
2021– Trinidad and Tobago 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 28 March 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 February 2021

Early life

Peña was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.[1] He moved to Mississauga, Canada, before settling in Winnipeg, Canada in 2009.[2] He began playing youth soccer in Canada with Winnipeg South End United SC in 2009.[3] In 2013, he began playing with Bonivital SC, moving to Granite United from 2015 to 2017. He then joined the youth system of Belgian club Gent, playing for the U21 squad, while also training with the first team on occasion.[4] In 2018, he joined the U21 team of Standard Liège.[4]

Club career

In March 2019, Peña went on trial with Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League ahead of the 2019 season.[5] In April 2019, Peña signed with the club.[6][7] He appeared in six of his team's seven matches in the 2020 shortened season, including having a red card overturned ahead of the final match of the season.[8][9] In December 2020, he the club picked up his option for the 2021 season.[10][11] During the 2021 season, his playing time greatly increased, appearing in 26 matches,[12] including being named Man of the Match in a 1-0 victory over Forge FC on July 11, 2021.[13] In January 2022, he once again re-signed with the club for another season, with the club re-structing his contract, rather than just picking up his club option.[14][15] In December 2022, he departed the club, upon the expiry of his contract.[16]

In March 2023, he joined Umeå FC in the Swedish third tier Ettan on a one-year contract.[17]

International career

Peña is eligible to represent both Canada or Trinidad and Tobago internationally. In 2013 and 2014, Peña made his debut in the Canada national team, attending two identification camps for the Canada U15 team.[18][19]

In March 2020, he was set to be called up by the Trinidad and Tobago national team ahead of a friendly against Canada, but it was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[20] After remaining in contact with the national team, he was again called up in January 2021 ahead of a friendly against the United States.[21][22] He made his debut in that match on 31 January, as a starter.[23][24]

Personal

Peña is related to former Trinidad and Tobago national team goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.[25] Peña's great-grandfather immigrated to Trinidad and Tobago from Portugal, which allowed Peña to obtain Portuguese citizenship, which enabled him to obtain a European passport allowing him to sign with Gent's youth teams.[26]

Career statistics
As of match played October 8, 2022[27]
Club Season League Playoffs National cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valour FC 2019 Canadian Premier League 80—00—80
2020 60———60
2021 240—20—260
2022 210—10—220
Career total 590003000620


References
  1. Tait, Ed (7 December 2020). ""This is my city and I'm very proud to play for Valour and represent the city I'm from." - Peña returns to Valour for 2021". Valour FC.
  2. Friesen, Paul (4 April 2019). "Winnipeg roots run deep for Valour FC". Winnipeg Sun.
  3. "Valour FC announce return of midfielder Federico Peña". Valour FC. 7 December 2020.
  4. "Valour FC signs Calum Ferguson, Federico Peña". Canadian Premier League. 3 April 2019.
  5. Brandt, Ryan (4 March 2019). "Decisions, decisions: Valour looking at 10 trialists as camp opens". Canadian Premier League.
  6. "Valour FC adds players to roster". Winnipeg Free Press. 4 April 2019.
  7. Thompson, Marty (8 April 2019). "Sights and … smells: Valour's Peña feeling at home as Dominican pre-season begins". Canadian Premier League.
  8. Jacques, John (20 December 2020). "Winnipegger Federico Pena Re-Signs With Valour FC". Northern Tribune.
  9. Tait, Ed (13 December 2020). "Federico Pena on returning for Valour in 2021: 'I consider myself a real Winnipegger'". Canadian Premier League.
  10. Friesen, Paul (7 December 2020). "Valour retains 'proud' 'Pegger". Winnipeg Sun.
  11. "Valour FC re-signs versatile Canadian Federico Peña". Canadian Premier League. 7 December 2020.
  12. Tait, Ed (8 March 2022). ""This team, it feels like it's on the cusp of greatness" - Peña continues to grow in fourth year with the club". Valour FC.
  13. Simon, Nigel (13 July 2021). "Pena picks up man-of-match award in Valour FC's narrow win". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
  14. O'Connor-Clarke, Charlie (24 January 2022). "Andy Baquero and Federico Peña return to Valour FC". Canadian Premier League.
  15. Tait, Ed. ""They are two guys from the get-go that we knew we wanted back." - Peña, Baquero return for 2022". Valour FC.
  16. Jacques, John (13 December 2022). "Valour Confirms Exits Of Pena, Cebara, And Riggi". Northern Tribune.
  17. "Federico Peña klar för Umeå FC" [Federico Peña ready for Umeå FC]. Umeå FC (in Swedish). 28 March 2023.
  18. Federico Peña at the Canadian Soccer Association
  19. Fuller, Simon (3 December 2013). "Youth soccer in province looking strong". Brandon Sun.
  20. Tait, Ed (27 January 2021). "Federico Peña selected for Trinidad & Tobago national team's roster". Valour FC.
  21. Jacques, John (27 January 2021). "Pena Gets Trinidad And Tobago Call". Northern Tribune.
  22. Allen, Taylor (29 January 2021). "Valour FC's Pena is 'Trini to the bone'". Winnipeg Free Press.
  23. Tait, Ed (1 February 2021). ""It was a big blessing and just an amazing feeling" - Federico Peña starts for Trinidad & Tobago". Valour FC.
  24. Jacques, John (1 February 2021). "Pena Makes Trinidad And Tobago Debut". Northern Tribune.
  25. "Pena honored to represent T&T national football team". Loop News. 28 January 2021.
  26. "Trifactor E27: Federico Peña - Madeira to Trinidad and Tobago to Belgium to Canada to..." The Trifactor Podcast. YouTube. 16 August 2021.
  27. Federico Peña at Soccerway
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