José Ignacio Pérez Frías

José Ignacio Pérez Frías (27 April 1955 – 30 March 2018), known as Nacho, was a Spanish footballer who played as a defender.

He spent his entire professional career with Málaga, playing 223 competitive matches while appearing in four La Liga seasons.

Early life Born in Madrid to hotel employee Pedro Pérez and his wife Isabel Frías, Nacho and his ten siblings (eventually the couple fathered 12 children) moved with the family to Málaga at the age of 14.

He started playing football with Puerto Malagueño and Real Madrid Castilla, but suffered an injury while at the service of the latter club and was released shortly after signing.

Club career Nacho subsequently joined Atlético Malagueño, whilst studying for his medical degree. He made his debut with the first team of Málaga CF on 10 November 1976, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–0 home win against Linares CF in the Copa del Rey. His maiden appearance in La Liga came the following 6 March, also coming from the bench in a 3–1 away loss to Real Zaragoza, and he scored his first in the competition on 26 March of the same year but in another away defeat (2–1, at RC Celta de Vigo).

In 1979, Nacho was appointed team captain.

Personal life and death Nacho's brother and son, respectively Juan Carlos and Ignacio, were also footballers. They too played for Málaga.