Andrés Perea Bio
Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda, born on November 14, 2000, is an American professional soccer player who plays as a defensive midfielder for Major League Soccer club New York City FC, where he wears the number 8 shirt. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m), he combines physical presence with technical ability in the center of the park. Born in Tampa, Florida, Perea holds dual citizenship with the United States and Colombia and has represented both nations at various youth levels, reflecting his bicultural upbringing and footballing roots.
His journey through professional soccer has taken him from one of South America’s most decorated academies to Major League Soccer, where he has built a reputation as a disciplined, hard-working midfielder. Across Atlético Nacional, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, and New York City FC, Perea has accumulated valuable experience in league play, cup competitions, and international youth tournaments.
Early Life and Background
Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda was born on November 14, 2000, in Tampa, Florida, in the United States. He lived in Tampa for the first five years of his life, where he first learned the game playing for local youth clubs Old Mars FC and West Florida Premier. These formative years gave him an early grounding in American grassroots soccer before his family’s Colombian heritage drew him back to South America.
At the age of six, Perea moved to Colombia and enrolled in the youth academy of Atlético Nacional, one of the most respected football institutions on the continent. The decision to join Atlético Nacional at such a young age placed him on a clear development pathway in a competitive environment. In 2013, he was part of the Atlético Nacional squad that won the prestigious national youth tournament Torneo de Pony Fútbol, signaling his arrival as a promising talent within the academy ranks.
Football runs in the Perea family. He is the son of Nixon Perea, a former professional soccer player who also served as a coach for the Atlético Nacional under-20 team. Growing up around the club and under the guidance of his father gave Perea a deep understanding of the game’s demands and a strong professional mentality from a young age.
Path to Soccer
Perea’s path to professional soccer was shaped by more than a decade inside the Atlético Nacional academy, where he progressed through the age groups from 2006 onward. The structured environment at one of Colombia’s flagship clubs helped him develop the tactical awareness and physical conditioning required to compete at senior level. His participation in the 2013 Torneo de Pony Fútbol title run confirmed his status as one of the academy’s top prospects.
By the time he was approaching his late teens, Perea was already knocking on the door of Atlético Nacional’s first team. His performances in youth competitions and training sessions earned him a senior debut opportunity, marking the transition from academy product to professional player. This promotion represented the culmination of years of disciplined work within the club’s famed development system.
The next phase of his development involved exposure to international youth football with Colombia, where he featured at the under-17 and under-20 levels. These experiences against top-tier opposition broadened his understanding of the game and prepared him for the demands of senior professional football on both sides of the Americas.
Andrés Perea Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda made his senior debut for Atlético Nacional on July 10, 2017, entering the match as a 77th-minute substitute in a 1–0 defeat to Santa Fe. In doing so, he became the first player born in the 21st century to feature for the storied Colombian club, a notable milestone that underlined the trust the club placed in its youth graduates.
Over the following seasons, Perea continued to develop within the Atlético Nacional senior setup, gradually earning more minutes and responsibility. On April 19, 2019, he scored his first senior goal for the club, finding the net in a 4–0 victory over Patriotas. This goal was a clear sign of his growing influence and his readiness to contribute at the highest level of Colombian football.
Atlético Nacional Breakthrough (2017–2020)
Perea’s time in Atlético Nacional’s first team established him as a dependable defensive midfielder with a calm temperament in possession and a willingness to break up opposition attacks. Operating in a competitive domestic environment, he learned to handle the pressure of representing one of South America’s most demanding clubs while still being a teenager.
His senior appearances and first senior goal during the 2018 and 2019 campaigns drew attention from clubs outside Colombia. By the end of 2019, Perea was ready for a new challenge abroad, and Major League Soccer came calling.
Orlando City Era (2020–2022)
On December 9, 2019, Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda joined Major League Soccer side Orlando City on loan ahead of the 2020 season, beginning his American professional journey. He made his MLS debut as a substitute on February 29, 2020, in the season opener, a 0–0 draw with Real Salt Lake. A week later, he recorded his first start and provided an assist on the team’s opening goal of the season, scored by Chris Mueller, in a 2–1 away defeat to the Colorado Rapids.
Perea’s first season with Orlando City was productive, as he went on to make 28 appearances across all competitions. On December 2, 2020, the club made his loan move permanent as part of its end-of-season roster decisions, signaling long-term confidence in the young midfielder. He later scored his first goal in U.S. Open Cup competition on May 10, 2022, netting the winner in a 2–1 round-of-32 victory over the Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia Union and New York City Era (2022–Present)
On December 6, 2022, Perea was traded to Philadelphia Union in exchange for $750,000 in General Allocation Money, with the potential for an additional $100,000 in GAM if certain contract conditions were met. Philadelphia also retained a portion of any future transfer fee, reflecting the value Orlando City placed on the midfielder at the time of the deal.
Following his spell with Philadelphia Union, Perea moved on loan to New York City FC in 2023 before making the move permanent ahead of the 2024 season. Now wearing the number 8 shirt for New York City FC, he continues to feature as a defensive midfielder in Major League Soccer, contributing experience, leadership, and a steady presence in the middle of the park.
Driving Style and Strengths
Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda is recognized for his discipline, positional awareness, and willingness to do the dirty work in midfield. Comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and breaking up opposition play, he fits the profile of a modern defensive midfielder who can both shield the back line and initiate transitions. His experience across South American and North American football has given him tactical flexibility and a strong understanding of different game styles.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the standout milestones of Perea’s career are his status as the first player born in the 21st century to appear for Atlético Nacional, his first senior goal for the club against Patriotas, and his U.S. Open Cup winner against the Philadelphia Union while at Orlando City. His one-time FIFA switch to represent the United States at senior level in 2021 also stands as a defining moment in his international journey.
Andrés Perea Career Wins
Across his time at Atlético Nacional, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, and New York City FC, Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda has built a steady career as a defensive midfielder, with notable contributions in league play, cup competitions, and international youth tournaments. While his trophy haul is still developing, his individual milestones reflect a player trusted by multiple clubs in important roles.
Orlando City Highlights
During his spell with Orlando City, Perea became a regular contributor in midfield, making 28 appearances in his debut MLS season and earning a permanent contract after his initial loan. His U.S. Open Cup winning goal against the Philadelphia Union on May 10, 2022, remains one of the standout moments of his time with the club, helping Orlando progress in domestic cup competition.
Other Wins & Performances
In his youth career, Perea was part of the Atlético Nacional side that won the Torneo de Pony Fútbol in 2013, an early indication of his winning pedigree. He has additionally represented Colombia at under-17 and under-20 level, including starting all five matches at the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup as Colombia reached the quarter-finals before elimination by Ukraine.
Andrés Perea Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda comes from a football family, with deep ties to the professional game through his father. His upbringing blended an American start in Tampa, Florida, with a Colombian football education, shaping his dual nationality and bicultural identity.
Personal Life
Perea is the son of Nixon Perea, a former professional soccer player who also worked as a coach for the Atlético Nacional under-20 team. The influence of his father played a key role in his decision to join the Atlético Nacional academy at a young age and pursue a career in professional soccer. Beyond his connection to his father and his broader family ties to Colombia, Perea tends to keep his personal life private.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 campaign, Andrés Felipe Perea Castañeda remains a member of New York City FC, where he continues to feature as a defensive midfielder in Major League Soccer. His experience in MLS, combined with his background in South American football, gives him a useful profile within the squad as the club navigates a competitive Eastern Conference.
Perea’s role in 2025 is expected to focus on providing balance and stability in midfield, supporting both defensive phases and transitions into attack. With competition for places high across the league, his minutes and specific statistical output for the season will depend on form, fitness, and tactical demands set by the coaching staff.
Looking ahead, Perea will be aiming to cement his place in the New York City FC first team and contribute to a push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs. His combination of MLS experience and international youth pedigree positions him as a valuable squad player with room to grow as a leader within the club.