Piero Alva

Piero Alva is a professional footballer from Peru who plays as a striker. Likened to a playmaker at times, Alva is known for running at defenses and creating chances for himself while also setting up his teammates regularly. Alva is better suited to play as the support striker, coming from the flanks, rather than playing as the traditional centre-forward.

In his youth days, it was at Universitario de Deportes that Alva for a break. In 1998, he managed to move into the first team under coach Oswaldo Piazza, who brought in a host of youth team players into the first team. Alva made his debut as a substitute against Sporting Cristal, also going on to win the 1998 Apertura title with Universitario de Deportes.

Alva soon became a regular starter for his team, playing 45 games over two seasons and scoring 17 goals. He moved to rivals Sporting Cristal in 2001, playing a single season for the team. He played 46 games and scored 7 goals before moving to Argentina to play for Union de Santa Fe. After failing to play a single game with the Argentine club, Alva moved to Sport Boys, back in Peru.

Alva regained the starting spot and shone with 10 goals over 33 games, again gaining reputation of being a provider as well. Often receiving criticism for losing the ball too many times, Alva continued to showcase his skills when he moved to Alianza Atletico Sullana in 2004. He scored 4 goals in 23 games, losing favour with the team management towards the end of his tenure.

Alva returned to Universitario de Deportes in 2004, this time as a regular member of the starting lineup. He played over 110 league games for the club, finding the net 39 times during his 4 seasons at the club. With his performance, Alva drew the attention of Greek side Skoda Xanthi FC, who hired his services for the 2007-08 season. Alva’s European trip was a bust as he just played 14 games, mostly as a substitute, failing to score even once before being sent back at the end of the season.

Alva joined Cienciano upon returning to Peru and scored 8 goals in 25 games to regain a bit of his lost reputation. In a bid to return to his former best, he moved back to Universitario de Deportes for his third stint with the club. Through 2009, Alva started regularly for Deportes, playing 30 games and scoring 5 goals.

At the international level, Alva got a call-up to the Peruvian Under-20 side after his stellar performance in the 1998 Apertura tournament and then again in 1999. After leading Deportes to a historic three consecutive Apertura titles, Alva was picked for the Peruvian senior national team.

Since 2000, Alva has been a part of the national team, off and on, and has scored 3 goals in 16 caps.

His return to Deportes helped the team clinch their fourth Apertura title, at the 1999 tournament, with Alva in the squad.