José Luis García Vayá

José Luis García Vayá (born 11 August 1998), commonly known as Pepelu, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for La Liga club Valencia.

Club career Levante Early years Born in Dénia, Alicante, Valencian Community, Pepelu joined Levante's youth setup in 2012, after starting it out at Dénia. On 24 June 2014, while still a youth, he renewed his contract until 2021, and made his senior debut with the reserve team on 7 September, coming on as a half-time substitute in a Tercera División 1–1 home draw against Castellón.

Pepelu helped the B-team in their promotion to Segunda División B at the end of the season, and scored his first senior goal on 30 August 2015, netting his team's second in a 2–0 home win over Llosetense. On 15 December, he made his first team debut by replacing Juanfran in a 2–1 Copa del Rey away loss against Espanyol.

Loan to Hércules In August 2017, after Levante's B-side suffered relegation to the fourth tier, Pepelu was loaned to Hércules in the third division, for one season. A regular starter, he contributed with 32 matches overall during the campaign.

Loan to Tondela Upon returning from loan, Pepelu was a regular starter for the B-side also in the third division, scoring a career-best six goals during the 2018–19 campaign. On 26 July 2019, he moved abroad for the first time in his career after agreeing to a one-year loan deal with Primeira Liga side Tondela.

Pepelu scored his first professional goal on 7 December 2019, netting the opener in a 3–2 away success over Famalicão. The following 26 July, he saved the club from relegation with a late penalty 2–1 winner at Moreirense on the final day.

Loan to Vitória SC On 8 September 2020, Pepelu remained in Portugal for a further campaign, after agreeing to a one-year loan deal with Vitória SC. He was also a first-choice for the club, as they narrowly missed out a continental spot.

Breakthrough Upon returning to Levante in July 2021, Pepelu made his La Liga debut on 11 September, replacing Pablo Martínez late into a 1–1 home draw against Rayo Vallecano. He established himself as a regular starter for the side under manager Alessio Lisci, but was unable to prevent the club's relegation to Segunda División.

In June 2022, Pepelu signed a new ten-year contract with Levante running until the summer of 2032. He scored his first goal for the club on 29 April 2023, netting the opener in a 2–0 home win over Deportivo Alavés.

Valencia On 8 July 2023, Pepelu moved to cross-town rivals Valencia CF in the top tier, for €5 million. The player signed a five-year contract, with a release clause of €100 million.

International career After representing Spain at under-17, under-18, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels, Pepelu received his first call-up to the full side on 2 September 2024, for two 2024–25 UEFA Nations League matches against Serbia and Switzerland.

Career statistics Club