William Chiroque He is one of the Peruvian soccer players who are fondly remembered by the fans thanks to his skill and correct trajectory. The “Periquito” never got to play abroad, but he fulfilled his dream of joining the Peru team and always proved to be a very professional athlete and person. His last team in the first division was Defensor La Bocana de Sechura in 2016 but he recently announced that he had the opportunity to reach a better club playing in the Copa Libertadores.
Despite the tantalizing possibility, Chiroque made the decision to continue with Maretazo Sechurano despite only having a verbal agreement at the time. ‘Periquito”s last season in what is now Liga 1 was marked by the club’s mismanagement; Nevertheless, he remained on the ship to the end. What happened?
Willian Chiroque retired from professional football at Atlético Grau in 2018. Photo: GLR archives
Willian Chiroque and his agreement with Defensor La Bocana
In the show “La fe del cuto” Willian Chiroque told Luis Guadalupe how he came to Defensor La Bocana. Earlier this year, the Piura man got a call from Diego Umaña – his former coach at Juan Aurich – asking him to go to Sport Huancayo, but he didn’t want to. After that, La Bocana’s went to his house and convinced him to come to terms with the team.
“It was my fault for taking her word,” Chiroque recalled. Among all they offered him, they gave him a blank sheet of paper to make a list of who to consider for assembling the team. He called “Chasqui” Álvarez, Manuel Heredia, Nelinho Quina, among others. He accepted on condition that the players he requested arrived and they told him they would acquiesce.
However, nobody ever came because the leadership felt that with him and those promoted from Copa Peru, it was enough. Outraged, Chiroque threatened to leave the club due to the club’s insistence on not bringing any other footballers, to which they eventually had to relent. The “Periquito” called among others José Carlos Fernández, “Malingas” Jiménez, Saulo Aponte, Heredia, Jairsino Baylón, Renzo Reaños and Jean Tragodara.
Several experienced players joined Defensor La Bocana thanks to Willian Chiroque. Photo: GLR archives
Willian Chiroque and the reputation of Juan Reynoso
All of Willian Chiroque’s teammates arrived the day after his call for repairs and training. Failing to stay focused while claiming the team’s unprofessional states, he returned to Piura with “Zlatan” Fernández. On the way home, he receives a call from Juan Reynoso, who had just become national champion in 2015 as coach of FBC Melgar.
“My cholo, come here to Melgar. We will play the Copa Libertadores,” the DT of the Peruvian team told him today. Reynoso also asked him about a reliable striker to recommend for the cup and Chiroque told him he had José Carlos at his side. Neither had yet signed a contract with La Bocana, but the “Periquito” encouraged Fernández to go to Arequipa.
José Carlos Fernández signed for Melgar and played in the Copa Libertadores thanks to Willian Chiroque’s recommendation. Photo: GLR archives
“Zlatan” wanted them to go together, but he refused, even though it was a champion team that paid better and would play an international tournament. “No, I’m tired. And I’ve already given my word to those panzones,” Chiroque said before the ‘cuto’ laughed. The “Periquito” has consistently emphasized the importance of being a man of his word, for which he “sacrificed himself” and has stayed in La Bocana.