Amaia Peña signs with Athletic Club in her native Spain

Photo of Amaia Peña courtesy of Athletic Club.

Amaia Peña is going home.

The University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer goalkeeper — who was a two-year starter — is heading back home to Spain. A recent graduate of the university, Peña has signed with Athletic Club. Commonly known as Athletic Bilbao, Peña signed with the club on Tuesday. Her contract will last until 2022.

This is not Peña’s first time signing with the club. Back in 2014, Peña joined Athletic Club for a year, featuring for the subsidiary team. She featured for the second-team 37 times before heading to the United States and Pittsburgh.

At Pittsburgh, Peña made 35 appearances. She made 157 saves while recording two shutouts. During her final four matches in the ACC, Peña made 40 saves and helped the team record a 2-1 victory at home over North Carolina State.

“I’m so proud of Amaia and happy to have had the opportunity to coach her,” Randy Waldrum, Panthers head coach, said. “She’s a true pro in everything she does, but more importantly a great person and teammate. The improvements she’s made is a direct result of the work she’s put in and the confidence she plays with. She set a high bar for all our goalkeepers to follow.

Now we all have a new team to follow!

”

Peña is the second player this offseason to turn professional. Back in November, Juliana Vazquez signed with Puerto Rico Sol FC.  At Pitt, Peña dual majored in marketing and supply chain management.

Peña now features for a club in the top flight in the Primera División in Spain. Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Athletic Club sat in fifth place on the table with a record of 10-5-6.

Congrats to Amaia on beginning her pro career back home in 🇪🇸 with @AthleticClub!!#H2P pic.twitter.com/iOllJDZBOj

— Pitt Women's Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) May 26, 2020