Adalberto Peñaranda

Adalberto Peñaranda Maestre (born 31 May 1997) is a Venezuelan professional footballer who plays as a striker for Deportivo Táchira. Peñaranda previously played for Udinese in Italy and Watford in England, as well as appearing on loan for several top-division clubs in other European leagues. He has earned 20 caps for the Venezuela national team between 2016 and 2022.

Club career Early career Peñaranda was born in El Vigía, Alberto Adriani Municipality, Mérida. He is an academy graduate of Deportivo La Guaira and made his professional and Primera División debuts on 11 August 2013, starting in a 1–3 home loss against Deportivo Táchira. Peñaranda scored his first goal as a senior on 23 February 2014, netting his team's only goal in a 1–4 loss at Caracas FC. He finished the 2013–14 Venezuelan Primera División season with 18 appearances to his name, and one goal.

The Pozzo Triangle Udinese, Granada & Watford On 16 June 2015, Peñaranda signed for Serie A side Udinese, owned by Italian businessman Giampaolo Pozzo. He was then immediately loaned to Granada who at the time were also under the ownership of Pozzo. He made his debut for the La Liga side on 22 November, starting in a 2–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao. Upon making his debut he became the youngest ever player to ever represent the club. On 12 December 2015, Peñaranda scored his first goals in the top flight of Spanish football, netting a brace in a 2–1 away win against Levante UD. In doing so he became the youngest ever non-Spanish player to score a brace in La Liga, breaking the record previously held by Barcelona's Argentine forward, Lionel Messi. At the end of the season Granada were sold to Chinese firm Link International Sports, putting pay to the possibility of Peñaranda returning to the club on loan for another season. Following his arrival at Watford in July, Peñaranda was shipped back to Udinese on a season long loan deal. Granada had agreed to loan Peñaranda while Watford waited for him to qualify for a work permit to play in England.

He made his debut for the Udinese on 13 August 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Ryder Matos in a 3–2 Coppa Italia loss to Spezia. His Serie A debut came the following week in a 4–0 drubbing at the hands of Roma, with Peñaranda coming on as a second-half substitute for Rodrigo De Paul.

Peñaranda made his Watford first team debut against Woking in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on 6 January 2019.

Loan to Málaga On 5 January 2017, it was announced that Peñaranda had been recalled from Udinese and would spend the remainder of the season on loan with La Liga side Málaga. The deal included an option for Málaga to extend the loan by a further season.

Return to Watford Upon his return to Watford he scored his first goal for the club in an EFL Cup tie against Coventry City on 27 August 2019.

Loan to Eupen On 2 September 2019, Adalberto Peñaranda moved to Eupen on a one-year loan.

Loan to CSKA Sofia On 5 October 2020, Adalberto Peñaranda moved to CSKA Sofia on a one-year loan.

Loan to Las Palmas On 12 July 2021, Peñaranda returned to Spain after signing a one-year loan deal with UD Las Palmas in the second division.

Boavista On 1 September 2022, Peñaranda joined Primeira Liga side Boavista on a free transfer, signing a 3-year deal. After a year, Peñaranda left Boavista without playing a game, due to a club sanction that kept him from being registered to the squad.

Sarajevo On 27 June 2023, joined Bosnian club FK Sarajevo, signing a three-year contract.

Loan to Bucaramanga On 25 July 2024, Peñaranda returned to South America, joining Colombian club Atlético Bucaramanga on loan. In the summer of 2025, it was announced that he would not return to Bucaramanga, since his parent club Sarajevo had terminated his loan and contract, rendering him a free agent.

Deportivo Táchira On 9 August 2025, Peñaranda returned to Venezuela, joining Deportivo Táchira as a free agent.

International career In March 2016, he was first called up to the senior Venezuela national team , and he made his debut for the senior team in a World Cup qualifying 2–2 draw against Peru on 24 March 2016.

Personal life On 18 April 2015, Peñaranda and Deportivo La Guaira teammate Charlis Ortiz were both shot in an attempted robbery after attending a party. Peñaranda was struck in the left thigh with the bullet passing clean through. Ortiz, however, was struck in the rib area and had to undergo surgery the following day.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Deportivo La Guaira Copa Venezuela: 2014

CSKA Sofia Bulgarian Cup: 2020–21

Venezuela U20 FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2017

Venezuela U17 South American Under-17 Football Championship runner-up: 2013