On the evening of June 23rd, Beijing time, Panathinaikos FC officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Iñaki Peña from Barcelona. According to reports by Fabrizio Romano, the transfer fee for this deal was €3 million.
Panathinaikos Official Announcement:
The club announced the signing of Peña from Barcelona. The 27-year-old Spanish goalkeeper has signed a three-year contract with the club. His arrival will bring rich experience, excellent technique, and stable defence to the team's backline.
Born in Alicante on March 2, 1999, Peña is considered one of the most talented goalkeepers of his generation in Spain. He began playing football at the age of five at a football academy in Alicante, and in 2012, he joined La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy, from Villarreal.
He was a key member of the Barcelona youth team that won the UEFA Youth League in the 2017-18 season, starting in the final against Chelsea. That same year, he renewed his contract with Barcelona and was promoted to the second team, making his debut for Barcelona B in October 2018, while also participating in first-team matches.
In 2022, he was loaned to Galatasaray, where he made his first-team debut and impressed in the Turkish league. Upon returning to Barcelona, under Xavi, he made his competitive debut for Barcelona in November 2022 against Viktoria Plzeň.
In January 2023, he established himself in the first team, and a few months later, he celebrated winning La Liga and renewed his contract. In the 2024-25 season, with Ter Stegen sidelined by a serious injury, Peña seized the opportunity. Hansi Flick gave Peña the starting jersey, making him the primary goalkeeper.
In Barcelona's 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in El Clásico in October 2024, Peña's performance was particularly outstanding and widely praised. He played a total of 16 matches, making significant contributions to Barcelona's league title win.
In the Spanish Super Cup final, Peña came on as a substitute after Szczesny was sent off, helping Barcelona to a 5-2 victory over Real Madrid. He also won the Copa del Rey and La Liga with Barcelona and participated in the Champions League. In 2025, he renewed his contract with Barcelona until 2028 before being loaned to Elche.
On the international stage, Peña has represented Spanish youth national teams from U16 to U21. He was a key player for Spain in reaching the final of the 2016 U17 European Championship, and in 2021 he was called up to the Spanish senior national team.
We welcome Iñaki to the Panathinaikos family.
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