Peña Los Submarinos
Spanish centre-back for Valencia, formerly of Mallorca and Villarreal.
José Manuel Arias Copete (born 10 October 1999) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Valencia.
Quick Facts
- Nickname
- Los Submarinos (The Submarines)
- Symbolism
- Yellow submarine representing the club's identity, inspired by the Beatles song and the team's yellow kits
Lore & Background
Born in Écija, Seville, Andalusia, Copete is a Écija Balompié youth graduate. He made his first team debut at age 16 on 19 March 2016, in a 2–0 Tercera División win against CD Cabecense. He moved to Córdoba CF on 4 January 2018, then signed a three-year contract with Villarreal on 7 June 2018, initially assigned to the C-team. He was loaned to SCR Peña Deportiva on 22 July 2019, and upon returning in July 2020, played for the B-side. On 17 June 2021, he joined SD Ponferradina, making his professional debut on 14 August 2021. On 29 June 2022, he signed a four-year contract with Mallorca, debuting in La Liga on 15 August 2022, and scoring his first goal on 4 June 2023. On 28 July 2025, he left Mallorca to sign for Valencia on a four-year deal.
Reader's Guide
Copete is a centre-back who progressed through the youth ranks of Écija Balompié and later played for Córdoba, Villarreal (C and B teams), SCR Peña Deportiva (loan), SD Ponferradina, Mallorca, and Valencia. His professional debut came in Segunda División with Ponferradina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Peña Los Submarinos?
It is Villarreal CF's official supporters' association, serving as the organized collective behind the club's fanbase. In practice, it unites thousands of 'Submarines' into a single, structured body that represents them both at home and away.
What does the yellow submarine symbol mean for the fans?
The yellow submarine is the visual shorthand for the unity and resilience of Villarreal's supporters as a group. It ties the entire fan identity together and is meant to carry that sense of togetherness from one generation to the next.
What does Peña Los Submarinos actually do on a day-to-day basis?
The organization coordinates group travel for matches across Spain and abroad, runs charity events, and keeps the club's historical archives in order. It also acts as the formal bridge linking the players on the pitch with the wider community in the stands.
How is Peña Los Submarinos different from just being a regular fan?
Any individual can buy a ticket and cheer, but Peña Los Submarinos is the recognized institutional framework that organizes collective action, preserves the club's heritage, and keeps the yellow identity alive at a community level. It turns scattered individual support into a coordinated, lasting movement.
Why is Peña Los Submarinos considered so central to Villarreal CF's identity?
They are the organized voice and emotional core of the supporter base, showing up domestically and internationally with unwavering loyalty match after match. Without that structured collective, the link between the players, the stands, and the local community would lose its formal anchor.
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