2023-12-29 07:27:00
Forward Luis Tejada, former player and national champion with Juan Aurich from Chiclayo
Luis Tejada, a prominent figure in Peruvian football over the past decade, had a memorable entry into the country in 2010. During his stay in Peruvian territory, the personality known as ‘Pana’, left a significant mark on the local league thanks to his outstanding scoring ability. It is relevant to highlight that his arrival in the country was marked from the beginning by the influence of the then president, Edwin Oviedo, who persuaded the talented forward to join the modest Juan Aurich in a peculiar way.
“I was rebellious and brave,” he recalled in an interview with the YouTube channel ‘Flow la Música’. The 41-year-old former soccer player recalled how he reached an agreement with the Chiclayano club amidst whims. His representative had presented him with the option of taking on a new challenge in Peru to play in the Copa Libertadores with the ‘cyclone’, but for this Tejada made a very unique request.
“Tell the president to send me 10 thousand dollars to leave with my family and to send me the plane ticket for January 5,” were the words that the remembered forward expressed to his agent, in an exaggerated manner, trying to avoid the offer. .
However, his representative complied with notifying that singular request to Edwin Oviedo, then boss of Juan Aurich. Finally, the manager accepted the player’s request and ‘Pana’ was surprised when the money arrived in his bank account. “I got drunk. “We bought regarding 20 cases of beer and had a spectacular Christmas,” he revealed with a laugh.
Luis Tejada was champion with Juan Aurich in 2011. Credit: Instagram
After the end of the year celebrations, Luis Tejada kept his word and packed his bags to Chiclayo to join his new team’s preseason. The Panamanian was received in a good way, becoming friends with players like Reimond Manco and Roberto Guizasola. Furthermore, Edwin Oviedo always gave him confidence and good treatment, congratulating him on several occasions.
This special bond with the top manager of Aurich – today investigated by the Peruvian justice system due to alleged illegal acts – was key, since at the moment of truth, ‘Pana’ responded on the field with goals, which made him win praise and valuable awards.
Juan Aurich was part of the 2010 Copa Libertadores, from the preliminary phase, and Luis Tejada was a key piece for the Chiclayano team to reach the group stage of the continental competition. The Panamanian striker scored three goals in the match once morest Estudiantes Tecos of Mexico, which ended 4-1 on aggregate in favor of the ‘cyclone’.
“My first big game was with Estudiantes de Teco in the pre-Libertadores. That’s where Tejada’s show came. We won 2-0 at home and I scored both goals. And people were surprised. In Mexico, we won 2-1 with a goal from me and (Ricardo) Ciciliano,” he recalled.
“I never forget that, when we arrived in Chiclayo, they gave us a prize: seven thousand dollars for each one. From there, we all contributed something to give to those who did not travel, to the props… Each one contributed regarding 500 dollars,” he added regarding the incentive received for the feat.
Luis Tejada was the top scorer of the local tournament in 2011. Credit: Andina
After having a positive first season at Aurich, Luis Tejada was regarding to say goodbye to the club, following not receiving any communication regarding his renewal. But Edwin Oviedo stopped him in time. The then president of the ‘cyclone’ was surprised to learn that the forward had not yet extended his contractual relationship and quickly asked for his vacation to be paid and renewed. In addition, he gave a gift of 10 thousand dollars to the player.
As if that were not enough, ‘Pana’ also made a special request to the manager following the national championship won that season. As it is remembered, Juan Aurich raised the tournament trophy, following winning the final once morest Alianza Lima, and Tejada was the main protagonist of that achievement, for which he was later approved by his president.
“In 2011 no one stopped us anymore. Other players arrived at the institution and we were champions from start to finish. There I was the best foreigner, the best player, the top scorer (…) The president told me ‘give me the title and ask me for whatever you want’. So, in 2012, I told him ‘presi, you know I have to travel first class’”
Already with the privilege of traveling in first class, Luis Tejada recounted having coincided with the Alianza Lima team on a flight following the 2011 title was decided. In the midst of this context, the Panamanian remembers having made a joke to the ‘intimates’ ‘ on the plane.
“I remember that when I was arriving in Panama, there were the players from Alianza Lima who were stopping in Panama to go to Miami or I don’t know where. You know that those in first class can go up first and I went up with my suitcase, my packages and sitting right there. But then I went back, greeted them and said ‘hey, say hello to the champion,’” she said, laughing.
Forward Luis Tejada, former player and national champion with Juan Aurich from Chiclayo
Already with the label of best scorer in the Peruvian tournament and best foreign soccer player in the championship, Luis Tejada raised his value and set conditions for Juan Aurich to renew his contract with a juicy salary; Otherwise, he would opt for other tempting offers that came to him from teams in the capital.
“One of my conditions was that if I renewed in 2012 I had to be one of the highest paid in the league. It came true and I earned regarding 25 thousand dollars, because I played and more teams wanted me. If not, I might go to a team in Lima, who might give me all that and even more,” he revealed.
Luis Tejada played with the Chiclayano club until September 2012 and then had a brief stint in Mexico. In 2014 he returned to Peru and wore the colors of teams such as Universidad César Vallejo, Juan Aurich (he returned for two years), Universitario de Deportes, Sport Boys and Piratas FC. The historic scorer of the Panamanian team played the last years of his career in his native country, hanging up his boots in January 2023.
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