The curious case of Percan: How a childhood nickname stuck with Córdoba's new striker
Discover how Diego Pertejo Canseco became known as 'Percan' through a childhood coach's solution to having too many Diegos on one youth team.
A unique footballing identity born from a youth coach’s dilemma and a nod to both parents’ surnames
From Diego to Percan
Footballers often go by various monikers - nicknames, surnames, or even tributes to family members. But Córdoba CF’s new striker Diego Pertejo Canseco carries a particularly fascinating story behind his footballing identity.
Known throughout the Spanish football landscape as ‘Percan’, his distinctive name originated during his earliest days in youth football when his coach faced a proper headache - having five Diegos in one squad!
The solution? Nicknames for everyone. While other lads got tagged with ‘Dieguito’, ‘Dieguete’, and ‘Dieguín’, young Diego Pertejo Canseco needed something different. His coach Manolo, in a stroke of creativity, combined the first syllable of his father’s surname (Pertejo) with the first syllable of his mother’s (Canseco).
And just like that, ‘Percan’ was born.
Initial resistance
The young player wasn’t exactly chuffed with his new identity at first. “Yo me llamo Diego,” he would repeatedly insist when hearing his new nickname. But as time passed, both Diego and his parents grew accustomed to the unique moniker.
Now, the family takes pride in how his shirt honours both parents simultaneously - a walking tribute to Marcelo and Ana every time he steps onto the pitch.
A Beckham connection
What makes this tale even more delightful is the timing. When Diego became ‘Percan’, David Beckham was at the height of his powers, having just joined Real Madrid. The film ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ was all the rage too.
When coach Manolo first presented the ‘Percan’ nickname, Diego’s uncle Ernesto (who had initially spotted his talent and brought him to San Lorenzo club in León) gave his approval with an amusing observation: if you say it quickly or emphasize it just right, ‘Percan’ has the same cadence as ‘Beckham’.
Back then, every young footballer dreamed of being like Beckham. Today, as Percan begins his journey with Córdoba CF, many might soon wish they could be like him instead.