Pepe Reina, the seasoned goalkeeper, has found a new home in Serie A club Como after leaving Villarreal. The 41-year-old Spaniard made a total of 43 appearances for Villarreal over two seasons before his contract expired this summer. Reina expressed his excitement about joining Como, emphasizing the club’s ambitious and family-oriented project. He believes that his return to the league, which he knows well, will allow him to make a significant contribution to the club’s development.
Reina’s football journey began at Barcelona, where he played 49 matches before making a move to Villarreal in 2002. He quickly established himself as the club’s number one goalkeeper for three seasons before transferring to Liverpool. It was during his eight-year tenure at Anfield that Reina made a name for himself. He appeared in 394 first-team matches and secured four trophies, including the prestigious FA Cup in 2006. Additionally, he won the Premier League’s Golden Glove award for three consecutive seasons, showcasing his exceptional goalkeeping skills.
Following his successful stint at Liverpool, Reina embarked on various adventures across Europe. He had spells at Napoli, Bayern Munich, Milan, Aston Villa, and Lazio before returning to Villarreal for his second term with the club in 2022. However, his time there was short-lived as he left the club this summer.
Como’s head coach, Cesc Fabregas, expressed his delight at welcoming Reina to the team. Fabregas highlighted Reina’s vast international experience and competitive mentality, believing that his presence would contribute to the team’s growth and improvement.
Reina’s career has been nothing short of impressive, with a total of 977 appearances at both club and international level. His arrival at Como coincides with the club’s return to Serie A after a lengthy 21-year absence. This exciting new chapter in Reina’s career offers him the opportunity to showcase his skills once again in one of the top leagues in Italian football.
In conclusion, Pepe Reina’s move to Como signifies a new chapter in his illustrious career. With his wealth of experience and competitive mindset, Reina is poised to make a significant impact on Como’s journey in Serie A. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the start of the season to witness Reina’s goalkeeping prowess and see how Como fares in their return to the top flight.