Piero Quispe is the first Peruvian to play in the Isuzu UTE A-League but who is Sydney FC’s new star man? aleagues.com.au investigates.
“He had other options,” said Pumas UNAM head coach Efrain Juarez after Piero Quispe joined Sydney FC on loan.
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At the peak of his powers aged 24, his arrival in the Harbour City is a statement. The attacking midfielder also brings title-winning pedigree to a Sky Blues team desperate to return to the Finals Series in 2025-26.
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“To bring a player of Piero’s quality to Sydney FC in his prime is fantastic for our club and for the A-League,” said head coach Ufuk Talay.
“He has already shown at a young age that he can be the best in his league, winning both individual and team honours in Peru.”
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You just have to look at his time at boyhood club and Peruvian giants Universitario de Deportes. It is there where the 12-time Peru international catapulted himself to new heights and earned a move abroad.
Quispe – who featured at the 2024 Copa America while he has also been involved in the nation’s 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifying campaign, grew up supporting Universitario. His dream was to win a trophy with Peru’s most successful club.
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After four years in their youth system, Quispe emerged in 2021. Two years later, he begun to truly shine.
Aged just 22, Quispe came into his own and helped propel Universitario to league glory in 2023, ending a 10-year drought under the guidance of Jorge Fossati.
He scored five goals and supplied two assists across 41 matches that year as Los Cremas overcame rivals Alianza Lima in a two-legged showdown.
That night, which delivered the club’s first trophy since 2013, ended with Alianza turning off the stadium lights as Universitario celebrated on enemy territory. Alianza took shithousery to new levels.
Quispe’s form that season led to his crowning moment.
Not only did the Peruvian get his hands on silverware, he received the top individual honour that season – named the 2023 Liga 1 Player of the Year.
Also named in the Team of the Season, Quispe’s MVP recognition was significant, given he won the award as a 22-year-old ahead of established stars Rodrigo Urena, Yoshimar Yotun, Ignacio Da Silva, and Hernan Baros.
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“I’m grateful to God for this trophy,” said Quispe at the awards ceremony. “I’m grateful for the recognition. I have the privilege of competing with great players who had a great season with their teams.
“I’m grateful to my family, who support me throughout. It was a tough year. Every player’s dream is to win a championship with the club they support. I’m grateful to the coaching staff and everyone at the club. I’m excited to receive the trophy.”
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Those performances with Universitario secured a switch to seven-time Mexican champions Pumas in 2024, going on to score five goals for a team boasting former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas and ex-arsenal star Aaron Ramsey.
Now, Quispe is on a mission in Australia.
“My dream is to win more Championships and to make history here, just as I did in Peru,” he said.
