University | From Mark Cook to Oscar Ibanez: How have the ‘U’s fared with recent foreign goalkeepers? | Soccer-Peruvian

While the ‘U’s have historically opted for national goalkeepers, this is likely to change by 2024, taking into account that the quota of foreigners will increase to six. Without Carvalho and with a young Diego Romero, they are looking for a ‘1’ with the hierarchy. As a result, different names paraded around Bolivians Carlos Lambe and Guillermo Vizcarra, Uruguay’s Diego Melian to Oscar Ustari; The most recent is Argentine Diego Rodriguez, formerly Godoy Cruz.

The ‘Russian’ is interested and Cream’s management will have sent him a formal program to analyze the Argentine goalkeeper’s arrival. In that way, if a foreign ‘1’ signing is completed, it will be challenging for ‘U’ to claim their goal with a foreigner, as the last case was desirable: the Englishman Mark Cook in 2012 with the image of Oscar Ibanez, three-time national champion between 1998 and 2000, further behind.

The case of Mark Cook

England’s Mark Cook was the last foreign goalkeeper to receive creams; However, his time at Aet is to be forgotten. This is one of the more surprising signings: a transfer from England to Peru that has rarely been seen before. In 2012, the ‘U’ started with ‘Cemo’ del Solar, but after the first round of the Descentralizado, he was removed from charge for two seasons after poor results.

He was succeeded as coach by Nolberto Solano; however, The main problem was losing Louis Lontop, who was seriously injured. With a young Carlos Casita still without a starting goalkeeper, ‘Ol’ decided to bring in Mark Cook from England., a player he knew from his time at Newcastle. The young British goalkeeper arrived at the age of 23 and the ‘Maestrito’ secured his recruitment.

“He’s a good boy and hopefully he’ll gain more confidence as the days go by.”Solano said as soon as Cook landed in Peru. However, his time at the Etihad was painful as he played only two games with the ‘U’s, both in defeats. His debut was against Sport Huancayo and he scored a goal; In his second presentation he conceded three goals against Kopresol. He showed an unorthodox technique between the three sticks and lacked the goalkeeper’s protection the Meringue needed.

Finally, After those two games he ceased to be a starter and was gradually dropped from the roster. The ‘U’s had a forgettable campaign that season, finishing eleventh in the competition, without title hopes or a ticket to international trophies. Mark Cooke left at the end of the course through the wrong door with no connection (his attendance came on loan).

Oscar Ibanez

Of course, in terms of foreign goalkeepers at the ‘U’ in recent years, Oscar Ibanez’s case is the other side of the coin. If Mark Cook Adeille could not be breached, the goalkeeper in question entered the history of the company with the famous three-time championship between 1998 and 2000.

Ibanez is regarded by many fans as one of the club’s many references and a key player in goal when they won the treble in ’98, ’99 and 2000. Argentina came to the ‘U’. In 1996, after one season at Municipal, although it was difficult for him to win the starting job – occupying the foreign post – little by little he showed his qualities under the three sticks.

In 98, and with an Ibanez goal, the ‘U’s beat Sporting Crystal in the final of the tournament. The following year, contention for the title was against Alianza Lima and the popular return of Matute. By 2000, the creams had won the Apertura and Clausura, thus becoming automatic champions, adding three stars in a row. Years later he would acquire Peruvian nationality and defend the national team.

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About the author

Bachelor in Communication Science and Arts with a minor in Journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, with studies in Sports Management in Evolución Conmebol and Digital Marketing. He has over five years of experience in digital, written and multimedia journalism.