Diego Pérez is a former Uruguayan professional footballer known for his role as a defensive midfielder.
He played for AS Monaco FC from 2004 to 2010, where he faced competition for his position but thrived under certain managers.
Pérez concluded his playing career at Bologna F.C. 1909, where he played from 2010 until his retirement in 2015.
Biography
Early Life
Diego Fernando Pérez Aguado was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he began his journey in football. At just 19 years old, he joined Defensor Sporting Club, quickly establishing himself as a first-team regular and showcasing his talent as a midfielder.
Career
Pérez's career took off when he joined Club Atlético Peñarol in 2003, although his time there was brief, playing only 13 matches. He soon moved to France to play for AS Monaco FC under manager Didier Deschamps from 2004 to 2010. During his tenure at Monaco, he faced stiff competition for the defensive midfield position but earned the favor of manager Francesco Guidolin during the 2005–06 season.
In 2010, Pérez signed with Bologna F.C. 1909 for €2.1 million, where he played until his retirement in 2015. At Bologna, he contributed significantly to the team's performance, helping them secure a place in Serie A and finishing his first season with three assists.
On the international stage, Pérez represented Uruguay from 2001 to 2014, participating in four Copa América tournaments and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He played a crucial role in Uruguay's victory in the 2011 Copa América, scoring a goal against Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Managerial Career
After retiring as a player, Pérez transitioned into coaching, becoming the assistant manager of the Uruguay under-20 team, which won the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. In May 2024, he was appointed as the first manager of the Uruguay local national team and later became the assistant coach for the senior national team under Diego Forlán in 2026.
Personal Life
Pérez comes from a footballing family; his older brother, Omar Pérez, is also a professional footballer, having played for Cerro as a midfielder. Diego's journey from player to coach reflects his deep commitment to the sport and his country.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Pérez was born in Montevideo. At the age of 19, Pérez joined one of the clubs of his hometown, Defensor Sporting, soon becoming a first-team regular. He joined a larger club from Montevideo, C.A. Peñarol, in 2003 but only played 13 games with them before being shipped off to France to play for AS Monaco under then-manager Didier Deschamps.
Monaco
During his time at Monaco he had to battle for his place in the defensive midfield spot against Lucas Bernardi, Akis Zikos and Gerard López and was especially favored by the manager Francesco Guidolin during the Italian's reign in the 2005–06 season.
Bologna
On 31 August 2010, he was signed by Italian Serie A team Bologna for €2.1 million (including 5% solidarity contribution to youth clubs). No fee was scheduled to pay on that day, but 2 equal installments was scheduled on 31 December 2010 and 30 June 2011. At Bologna, he has teamed up with fellow Uruguayan internationals, Henry Damián Giménez, Gastón Ramírez and Miguel Britos, before this left the squad to join S.S.C. Napoli. In Pérez first season in the Serie A, Bologna managed 16th place and finished six points clear of relegation, confirming a fourth successive season in the Italian top flight. He also managed three assists during the campaign, tied for most on the team along with Riccardo Meggiorini. After being without a club for 1+1⁄2 months, Pérez signed a new two-year contract with Bologna in August 2013. He retired at the end of the 2014–15 season.
Pérez was capped for Uruguay in four successive editions of the Copa América, helping his country lift their 15th South American championship in 2011. He was also selected to 2010 FIFA World Cup. On 16 July 2011, he scored his first goal for the national team in a match against hosts Argentina in the Copa America quarterfinals, although he was also sent off in the same match. Pérez was back for the final match against Paraguay, starting in defensive midfield in a 3–0 win.
Pérez was the assistant manager of the Uruguay under-20 team which won the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and finished as runners-up at the 2023 South American U-20 Championship. In May 2024, Pérez was named as the first ever manager of the Uruguay local national team. On 6 August 2026, Pérez was appointed assistant coach to Diego Forlán with the Uruguay national team.
- Club
- AS Monaco FC (2004–2010)
- Club
- Defensor Sporting Club (1999–2003)
- Club
- Club Atlético Peñarol (2003–2004)
- Club
- Bologna F.C. 1909 (2010–2015)
- Club
- Uruguay men's national football team (2001–2014)
- Club
- Bologna F.C. 1909 (2010–2015)
- Club
- Uruguay national under-20 football team (1999–2001)
- Club
- Club Atlético Peñarol (2004–2004)
- Club
- Uruguay national under-20 football team (1999–1999)
- National team
- Uruguay
Personal
His older brother Omar Pérez is also a professional footballer, who played for Cerro as a midfielder.
Clubs
- Defensor Sporting Club1999–2003
- Uruguay national under-20 football team1999–2001
- Uruguay national under-20 football team1999–1999
- Uruguay men's national football team2001–2014
- Club Atlético Peñarol2003–2004
- AS Monaco FC2004–2010
- Club Atlético Peñarol2004–2004
- Bologna F.C. 19092010–2015
- Bologna F.C. 19092010–2015
Played together with
Abdelaziz Ben TifourAS Monaco FC · 1956–1958- Abdellah LiegeonAS Monaco FC · 1981–1987
Abdou DialloAS Monaco FC · 2014–2015
Abel HernándezClub Atlético Peñarol · 2008–2009- Abel HernándezClub Atlético Peñarol · 2023–2023
- Abel HernándezClub Atlético Peñarol · 2026
Aboubakar KamaraAS Monaco FC · 2013–2015
Adam MasinaBologna F.C. 1909 · 2013
Adama TraoréAS Monaco FC · 2015
Adaílton Martins BolzanBologna F.C. 1909 · 2007–2010
Adhemar CanavesiClub Atlético Peñarol · 1928–1935- Adriano Pereira da SilvaAS Monaco FC · 2007–2013
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Diego Fernando Pérez Aguado is a Uruguayan professional football manager and former player who played as a defensive midfielder. He is the current assistant coach of the Uruguay under-20 national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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