Unai Pérez set for Portuguese Cup final with Torreense after rise from Lezama | OneFootball

Unai Pérez, 24, has emerged from Lezama to a surreal week, with the Torreense goalkeeper set to face Sporting in Sunday’s Portuguese Cup final at 18.15. He is part of a historic season in Portugal’s second tier.

According to El Correo, the final comes amid a play-off for promotion to the top flight. Torreense drew 0-0 at home to Casa Pia on Wednesday, with the winner decided next Thursday. Casa Pia finished third from bottom in Portugal’s top flight.

Pérez spent six years in Athletic’s academy at Lezama before joining Logroñés, where the reserve side were relegated from Segunda B to Tercera. He then reunited at Barakaldo with Imanol de la Sota, his former coach in Lezama.

Though initially a back-up, he featured and in 2023-24 helped Barakaldo win promotion to Primera Federación, playing the final against Orihuela. He was first choice the following season.

At Torreense he has been the cup goalkeeper and hopes to keep his place for the final, though selection remains uncertain. He also started three early league matches after Paes received a ban for striking an opponent. His totals are eight appearances, nine conceded and three clean sheets.

From Ondarroa, the same town as Kepa Arrizabalaga and Iñigo Martínez, Pérez views the campaign as historic for Torreense. Promotion was not the target, yet the team stayed near the top and now count the final as a reward.

Source: El Correo