Diego Alonso Penny Valdez (born 22 April 1984) is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Known for his imposing stature and extensive experience, he has spent the majority of his career in the Peruvian Primera División, representing several top clubs, and also had a brief stint in English football. He is a former member of the Peru national team.
Club Career
Penny began his professional career with Coronel Bolognesi in 2004. He quickly established himself as a reliable goalkeeper, leading to a move to Juan Aurich in 2008.
Burnley
In August 2008, Penny made a significant move to English Championship club Burnley FC. While he spent two seasons with the club, he primarily served as a backup goalkeeper, making limited appearances, mostly in cup competitions. He was part of the Burnley squad that achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2009, though he did not feature in the league that season. He departed Burnley in 2010.
Return to Peru
Upon returning to Peru, Penny rejoined Juan Aurich, where he played a crucial role in their historic 2011 Peruvian Primera División title win, the club's first-ever national championship.
His strong performances earned him a transfer to Sporting Cristal in 2013, one of Peru's most decorated clubs. During his time with Sporting Cristal, Penny continued to be a key figure and helped the club secure another league title in 2014.
After leaving Sporting Cristal, he continued to play for various prominent Peruvian clubs, including FBC Melgar, Alianza Lima, Universidad San Martín, and Atlético Grau. With FBC Melgar, he won his third Peruvian league title in 2016.
International Career
Diego Penny earned his first call-up to the Peru national team in 2006. He went on to represent his country in numerous international matches, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers and several editions of the Copa América (e.g., 2011, 2015). While often competing for the starting spot with other talented Peruvian goalkeepers, his experience and leadership made him a valuable member of the squad for many years.
Honours
Club
- Juan Aurich:
- Peruvian Primera División: 2011
- Sporting Cristal:
- Peruvian Primera División: 2014
- FBC Melgar:
- Peruvian Primera División: 2016
Playing Style
Penny is known for his commanding presence in the penalty area, attributed to his height and physical stature. He possesses good reflexes and strong shot-stopping abilities, coupled with experience in organizing his defense.