Liverpool FC player profile - Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina, Liverpool FC and Spain goalkeeper, was born José Manuel Reina Páez on 31 August 1982 in Madrid, Spain, his father was former Atlético Madrid goalkeeper Miguel Reina Santos and the young Pepe Reina was always destined to follow in his footsteps. Pepe Reina's professional career begin at a high level when he signed for FC Barcelona, with whom he made his debut at the age of 18. In 2002 Pepe Reina was loaned to Villarreal CF for the first team experience and in 2004, after 90 appearances for the Spanish La Liga side over two seasons, the move became permanent. At the end of the 04/05 season Pepe Reina had helped Villarreal to secure automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League for the first time with a third place finish in La Liga.

Pepe Reina's international career began as a teenager when he was part of the side that won the 1999 UEFA U-17 championship. He progressed to the senior squad in August 2005 when he debuted in a friendly against Uruguay, and, although not normally the first choice keeper he was part of the Spanish team that won the 2008 European Championships.

Pepe Reina's success at Villarreal led to much interest from Liverpool FC Spanish manager Rafael Benitez and by July 2005 Pepe Reina had been signed by the English Premier League side. He made his debut soon after in a Champions League first qualifying round tie against Irish side TNS (Total Network Solutions) and quickly became Liverpool FC's first choice keeper. During his first season Pepe Reina helped Liverpool FC to an improved league position and a victorious FA Cup campaign, he also realised a club record achieving eight straight Premier League clean sheets. The following 06/07 season saw Pepe Reina become only the third player to follow in his father's footsteps and appear in a Champions League final and at the end of the 07/08 season he won his third consecutive Premier League Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets.