Pedro Gallese Bio
Pedro David Gallese Quiroz (born 23 February 1990) is a Peruvian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Categoría Primera A club Deportivo Cali and the Peru national team, which he captains. Standing 190 cm tall, he has spent more than fifteen years at the top level of the sport and is regarded as one of the most accomplished shot-stoppers in the modern history of Peruvian soccer. He wears the captain’s armband for his country and is currently the most-capped goalkeeper in Orlando City’s history, having set club records for appearances, saves, wins, and clean sheets before departing Major League Soccer at the conclusion of his contract.
Early Life and Background
Pedro David Gallese Quiroz was born on 23 February 1990 in Lima, Peru. He grew up in the Peruvian capital, where the country’s strong football culture shaped his early interest in the sport. From a young age, Gallese was drawn to the demanding role of goalkeeper, a position that requires quick reflexes, command of the penalty area, and the ability to organize a defense. His youth development began at local academies Academia Tito Drago and Club Deportivo Junior FC, where he refined his technique and built the foundation for a professional career.
In 2007, Gallese joined the academy at Universidad San Martín, one of the prominent Peruvian first-division clubs. He progressed steadily through the club’s youth system over the following year and was rewarded with promotion to the senior squad. On 25 June 2008, at the age of 18, he made his senior debut in a 4–0 victory over Atlético Minero, marking the start of a long and decorated professional journey in Peruvian football.
Path to Soccer
After his debut with Universidad San Martín, Gallese found first-team opportunities limited during the 2009 campaign and was sent on loan to Atlético Minero to gain regular playing time. The experience proved valuable, and on his return he established himself as a starter for Universidad San Martín, going on to make 63 appearances for the club. His consistent performances at the domestic level earned him a first international call-up, and on 6 August 2014 he made his senior debut for Peru in a friendly against Panama, keeping a clean sheet and saving a late penalty in a 3–0 victory.
Gallese’s club form and his rapid rise with the national team opened the door to bigger opportunities abroad. In 2015, after seven years with Universidad San Martín, he signed for Juan Aurich and made his Copa Libertadores debut on 19 February 2015 against Tigres. His performances at Juan Aurich, combined with his growing reputation as Peru’s number one, drew the attention of foreign clubs, and in June 2016 he completed a move to Liga MX side Veracruz. The transfer marked the beginning of an international chapter that would eventually take him to Major League Soccer and beyond.
Pedro Gallese Career
Early Career (2008–2014)
Gallese’s formative years as a professional were spent almost entirely at Universidad San Martín, where he developed from a promising teenager into one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Peruvian first division. He made 63 appearances for the club across multiple seasons and was a steady presence between the posts. The 2009 loan to Atlético Minero gave him the experience of regular senior football and helped him return to Universidad San Martín as a more complete goalkeeper.
During this period, Gallese also represented Peru at youth level, sitting on the bench as a reserve goalkeeper for the under-17 squad at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. The international exposure, combined with his strong domestic form, prepared him for a smooth transition into senior international football and paved the way for his move abroad.
Juan Aurich Breakthrough (2015–2016)
In 2015, Gallese signed for Juan Aurich and quickly became a central figure for the club. He made his debut on 6 February 2015 in a 2–1 win over Defensor La Bocana in the 2015 Torneo Descentralizado. Just two weeks later, on 19 February 2015, he played in the Copa Libertadores for the first time, facing Tigres in a 3–0 defeat. Despite the result, his continental debut signaled his arrival as a goalkeeper capable of competing at the highest level of South American club football.
His club form at Juan Aurich coincided with his breakthrough for Peru. Selected for the 2015 Copa América in Chile, Gallese helped his country win the bronze medal and cemented his place as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper. The strong performances he delivered in Peru’s run to the podium attracted interest from clubs abroad and set the stage for his transfer to Mexico in 2016.
Veracruz Era (2016–2019)
Gallese’s performances at the 2016 Copa América Centenario in the United States, where he was named man of the match in Peru’s 1–0 win over Brazil, made him a target for several clubs. On 19 June 2016 he signed with Mexican Liga MX side Veracruz and made his debut for the team on 10 July in the 2016 Supercopa MX, a 2–0 loss to Guadalajara. He quickly adapted to the demands of Mexican football and became a regular starter.
After falling out of favor under manager Robert Siboldi, Gallese returned to Peru on a 12-month loan with Alianza Lima for the 2019 season, where he was named Peruvian player of the year in both 2019 and 2021. In December 2019, he was released by Veracruz following the club’s disaffiliation from Liga MX, ending his time in Mexican football.
Orlando City Era (2020–2025)
On 17 January 2020, Gallese joined Major League Soccer side Orlando City and made an immediate impact, keeping a clean sheet on his debut in a 0–0 draw against Real Salt Lake on 29 February. During the MLS is Back Tournament in July 2020, he was the hero of a quarter-final penalty shoot-out victory over Los Angeles FC, making the only save of the contest. In November 2020 he was again central to a penalty shoot-out, in Orlando’s first-ever MLS playoff match against New York City FC, a match the team eventually won in remarkable fashion after defender Rodrigo Schlegel replaced the dismissed Gallese in goal.
In August 2021, Gallese was named an MLS All-Star for the 2021 MLS All-Star Game. On 20 October 2022, he was voted the winner of the 2022 MLS Save of the Year Award for stopping Dom Dwyer’s shot in a 1–1 draw with Atlanta United. In December 2022, he signed a new contract with Orlando through 2024, with an option for 2025. In May 2025 he was twice named to the Team of the Matchday and extended the club record for most consecutive clean sheets to five. Across six seasons with Orlando, Gallese became the most-capped goalkeeper in club history and set club records for minutes played by a goalkeeper (18,188), saves (568), wins (89), and clean sheets (57). He departed the club at the end of his contract in October 2025.
Deportivo Cali Era (2025–Present)
On 17 December 2025, Gallese signed with Categoría Primera A club Deportivo Cali in Colombia, continuing his career in South America. The move signaled a return to top-flight South American league football after several seasons abroad. His arrival was viewed as a major statement of intent by the Colombian club, which secured the signature of one of the most decorated goalkeepers currently playing on the continent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gallese is widely regarded for his shot-stopping reflexes, command of his penalty area, and ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes matches. He is particularly strong in one-on-one situations and has repeatedly delivered in penalty shoot-outs, both at club and international level. His calm demeanor and vocal organization of the back line have earned him the captaincy of the Peru national team.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gallese helped Peru qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the country’s first appearance in 36 years, and started every match at the tournament, keeping a clean sheet in a 2–0 win over Australia. In the 2019 Copa América, he played a central role in Peru’s run to its first Copa América final in 44 years, saving a penalty from Luis Suárez in the quarter-final shoot-out. On 12 October 2023, he became the first Peruvian goalkeeper to reach 100 international caps.
Pedro Gallese Career Wins
Pedro David Gallese Quiroz has accumulated an extensive list of team and individual honors across his time at Universidad San Martín, Veracruz, Orlando City, and the Peru national team. He has been a Copa América bronze medalist, an MLS All-Star, the 2022 MLS Save of the Year winner, and a two-time Peruvian player of the year.
Other Wins & Performances
Gallese has also earned recognition through strong domestic campaigns in Peru and Mexico. He was a key figure in Juan Aurich’s Copa Libertadores participation in 2015 and lifted his profile with a memorable campaign for Alianza Lima in 2019, a year in which he was named Peruvian player of the year for the first time.
Pedro Gallese Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Pedro David Gallese Quiroz’s family background are limited in publicly available sources.
Personal Life
In 2020, Gallese launched his own Peru-based clothing brand called Pedro Gallese colección, which features hats, masks, and t-shirts. In October 2020, the brand began selling Black Lives Matter themed merchandise. In March 2023, he was briefly taken into custody by Spanish police following an altercation between police and Peruvian players and fans outside a hotel in Madrid, but was released without charge.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the end of an era for Gallese at Orlando City. He was a regular starter in goal and was twice named to the MLS Team of the Matchday in May, after a string of clean sheets and an assist for Luis Muriel in a 3–0 win over Inter Miami. He also extended the club record for consecutive clean sheets to five during the campaign. On 31 October 2025, Orlando City announced that he would be leaving at the end of his contract.
Less than two months later, on 17 December 2025, Gallese signed with Colombian Categoría Primera A club Deportivo Cali, opening a new chapter in his career. As one of the most experienced goalkeepers in South American football, his arrival in Colombia is expected to bring leadership, big-game experience, and a winning mentality to his new club. His performances with Deportivo Cali will be closely watched as he begins his post-MLS career.