Iñigo Pérez

Iñigo Pérez Soto (born 18 January 1988) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder, currently manager of La Liga club Rayo Vallecano.

Playing career
A product of Athletic Bilbao's youth ranks at Lezama, Pérez was born in Pamplona, Navarre, and moved to the reserves in early 2007 although he still spent some more time with Basconia, the farm team. On 28 October 2009, he made his debut for the main squad, starting in a 2–0 Copa del Rey defeat at Rayo Vallecano (4–2 aggregate loss). He first appeared in La Liga two days later, replacing veteran Pablo Orbaiz in a 1–0 home win against Atlético Madrid.

Definitely promoted to Athletic's first team for the 2010–11 season, Pérez scored in his first official appearance, a 3–0 home victory over Mallorca, playing the last ten minutes in the place of Iker Muniain. On 8 March 2011, he was loaned to Huesca of the Segunda División; the winter transfer window had long since closed, but the Royal Spanish Football Federation allowed the move as the Aragonese had just lost David Bauzá to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Pérez appeared much more regularly for the Basques in the 2011–12 campaign under new manager Marcelo Bielsa, playing 40 games in all competitions mainly due to the departure of Orbaiz (loaned to Olympiacos) and the serious knee injury of Carlos Gurpegui. He spent the first half of 2013–14 on loan at Mallorca, returning on 31 January 2014 due to stress problems.

On 18 July 2014, Pérez joined second division club Numancia after terminating his contract with Athletic. On 2 July 2018, he agreed to a four-year deal with Osasuna of the same league, for a €750,000 fee.

Coaching career
Pérez retired at the end of 2021–22 at the age of 34, having made 85 official appearances during his spell at the El Sadar Stadium. Subsequently, he joined the coaching staff of his former Athletic teammate Andoni Iraola at Rayo Vallecano.

Pérez was supposed to move alongside Iraola to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League in summer 2023; however, this did not happen due to work permit issues. He returned to the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas – now as a manager in his own right – on 14 February 2024, following Francisco's dismissal. In his first match four days later, his side drew 1–1 at home to Real Madrid.

Honours
Athletic Bilbao
 * Copa del Rey runner-up: 2011–12
 * UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2011–12

Osasuna
 * Segunda División: 2018–19