Peñaranda previously played for Udinese in Italy and Watford in England, as well as appearing on loan for several top-division clubs in other European leagues. He has earned 20 caps for the Venezuela national team between 2016 and 2022.
On 16 June 2015, Peñaranda signed for Serie A side Udinese, owned by Italian businessman Giampaolo Pozzo. He was then immediately loaned to Granada who at the time were also under the ownership of Pozzo.[6] He made his debut for the La Liga side on 22 November, starting in a 2–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao.[7] Upon making his debut he became the youngest ever player to ever represent the club.[8] On 12 December 2015, Peñaranda scored his first goals in the top flight of Spanish football, netting a brace in a 2–1 away win against Levante UD.[9] In doing so he became the youngest ever non-Spanish player to score a brace in La Liga, breaking the record previously held by Barcelona's Argentine forward, Lionel Messi.[8]
On 1 February of the following year he signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with Premier League side Watford, owned by Pozzo's son Gino, but remained on loan at Granada for the remainder of the season.[10] At the end of the season Granada were sold to Chinese firm Link International Sports, putting pay to the possibility of Peñaranda returning to the club on loan for another season.[11] Following his arrival at Watford in July, Peñaranda was shipped back to Udinese on a season long loan deal.[12] Granada had agreed to loan Peñaranda while Watford waited for him to qualify for a work permit to play in England.[13]
He made his debut for the Udinese on 13 August 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Ryder Matos in a 3–2 Coppa Italia loss to Spezia.[14] His Serie A debut came the following week in a 4–0 drubbing at the hands of Roma, with Peñaranda coming on as a second-half substitute for Rodrigo De Paul.
Peñaranda made his Watford first team debut against Woking in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on 6 January 2019.
Loan to Málaga
On 5 January 2017, it was announced that Peñaranda had been recalled from Udinese and would spend the remainder of the season on loan with La Liga side Málaga.[15] The deal included an option for Málaga to extend the loan by a further season.[16]
Return to Watford
Upon his return to Watford he scored his first goal for the club in an EFL Cup tie against Coventry City on 27 August 2019.[17]
Loan to Eupen
On 2 September 2019, Adalberto Peñaranda moved to Eupen on a one-year loan.[18]
Loan to CSKA Sofia
On 5 October 2020, Adalberto Peñaranda moved to CSKA Sofia on a one-year loan.[19]
Loan to Las Palmas
On 12 July 2021, Peñaranda returned to Spain after signing a one-year loan deal with UD Las Palmas in the second division.[20]
Boavista
On 1 September 2022, Peñaranda joined Primeira Liga side Boavista on a free transfer, signing a 3-year deal.[21] After a year, Peñaranda left Boavista without playing a game, due to a club sanction that kept him from being registered to the squad.[22]
Personal life
On 18 April 2015, Peñaranda and Deportivo La Guaira teammate Charlis Ortiz were both shot in an attempted robbery after attending a party. Peñaranda was struck in the left thigh with the bullet passing clean through. Ortiz, however, was struck in the rib area and had to undergo surgery the following day.[23]
^Liceras, Angel (22 November 2015) (21 November 2015). "El Granada encuentra su oficio" [Granada finds its role]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 November 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^Liceras, Angel (12 December 2015) (12 December 2015). "Peñaranda impulsa al Granada" [Peñaranda drives Granada]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 December 2015.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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