Diego Aspiras

Diego Aspiras
Personal information
Full name Jose Diego Aspiras[1]
Date of birth (2004-05-28) May 28, 2004
Place of birth Philippines
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 One Taguig
Number 41
Youth career
2011–2021 Kaya–Iloilo
2021–2023 GOM Academy
2023–2024 Stallion Laguna
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Ateneo de Manila University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2024 United City 9 (0)
2024 Manila Digger 6 (0)
2025 PFF Youth NT 9 (0)
2025 Barcelona City
2025–2026 Aguilas–UMak 6 (0)
2026– One Taguig 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jose Diego Aspiras (born May 28, 2004) is a Filipino professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Philippine club One Taguig.[1]

Personal life

Born on May 28, 2004[2] , Aspiras is the son of Filipino actor and politician Edu Manzano and celebrity chef Reggie Aspiras.[3][4] While playing football as a kid he studied at Xavier School,[5] and is studying in Ateneo de Manila University as of October 2024.[2]

Youth career

In 2011, Aspiras began playing football for the academy of Kaya FC, a club then participating in the United Football League. He was a member of the club's under 11 team and continued to play for them until 2021.[5] While playing for Kaya, he also played high school football for Xavier School.[6][7] He would also play for the youth team of Stallion Laguna in the PFF U19 Boys National Championship.[8]

Aspiras also played college football for Ateneo, first playing in the intercollegiate 2023 Ang Liga Tournament, where Ateneo reached the final before losing to Adamson University.[9][10][11] He did not play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.[12]

Club career

United City

Before the 2024 edition of the Philippines Football League, Aspiras signed his first professional contract with league giants United City, who were returning to the league after a two-year break.[13][14] He made his debut on the third matchday, coming on for Ricardo Sendra in a 4–1 win over Philippine Air Force.[15] He notched 9 appearances during the shortened season, also assisting Sendra in a 9–2 win against Maharlika Taguig.

Manila Digger

After the conclusion of the 2024 season, Aspiras was left without a club after United City withdrew from the league due to financial difficulties.[16] He later signed with Manila Digger,[17] featuring in the starting eleven on the first day as they lost 3–1 to One Taguig.[18]

Barcelona City

In April 2025, Barcelona City of the Quarta Catalana announced that it have signed in Aspiras for its then ongoing 2024–25 season.[19][20] Ramon Tribulietx, his coach back in United City, helped realize Aspiras' move to the club-academy which was founded in 2024. Barcelona City lost their promotion match which marked the end of Aspiras' three month stint with the club.[12]

Aguilas–UMak

Aspiras returned to the Philippines to join the Aguilas–UMak F.C. of the PFL for the 2025–26 season.[21]

References

  1. ^ a b "Manila Digger FC - Team Roster". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Gabinete, Jojo (October 1, 2024). "Meet Diego Aspiras: the football star and son of Edu Manzano". PEP.ph (in Filipino). Philippine Entertainment Portal, Inc. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Garzon, Van (October 2, 2024). "Edu Manzano's Son Diego Aspiras Wants To Make Name in PH Football Industry". Philnews PH. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  4. ^ Miralles, Nitz (May 21, 2023). "Edu, may nilabas na ibang anak!". Philstar. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Work Hard, Play Hard: Diego Aspiras". Kaya FC Academy. April 5, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  6. ^ "19th Alaska Football Cup Winners" (PDF). Alaska Football Cup. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  7. ^ Fernandez, Rhoel (November 30, 2014). "Alaska's annual football tournament once again draws banner field". Spin PH. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  8. ^ "United City, Ilocos Sur, Stallion Laguna advance to PFF U19 Division 2 National Round". Philippine Football Federation. June 13, 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  9. ^ Maguddayao, Merck (October 28, 2023). "Adamson, Ateneo forge blue Ang Liga final". fullcourtfresh.com. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  10. ^ Laygo, Moss; Licas, Luis Antonio (October 28, 2023). "Ateneo dominates DLSU, books ticket to Ang Liga Finals". The Guidon. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  11. ^ Laygo, Moss (November 4, 2023). "Ateneo falter against Adamson, surrender Ang Liga Title". The Guidon. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Ventura, Sid (July 15, 2025). "Diego Aspiras Gets Real About Playing Football in Europe". The Game. One Mega Group Inc. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  13. ^ "United City FC - Team Roster". Philippines Football League. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "United City FC Welcomes Young Talent Diego Aspiras". United City. March 7, 2024. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  15. ^ "Air Force 1-4 United City: Second half goals seal UCFC's second win". Philippines Football League. April 21, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  16. ^ Suing, Ivan (September 20, 2024). "Aguilas ramp up recruitment". Daily Tribune. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "New season, new midfield magic! Say hello to our New Diggers: Diego Aspiras, Dilane Wamba Tafem, Kintaro Miyagi, and Zachary Taningco!". Manila Digger Football Club on Facebook. September 27, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  18. ^ Suing, Ivan (September 30, 2024). "One Taguig starts PFL season with 3-1 win". Daily Tribune. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  19. ^ "Barcelona City Football Club". Federació Catalana De Futbol. Archived from the original on September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  20. ^ Ambat, Pao (April 22, 2025). "Pinoy booter Diego Aspiras joins Barcelona City FC for 2024-25 season". One Sports. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  21. ^ Ventura, Sid (September 16, 2025). "Diego Aspiras and His Drive For Football Glory". The Game. One Mega Group Inc. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
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