Luis Fernandez (footballer, born 2001)

Luis Theo Fernandez (born 28 September 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League club Eastleigh.

Luis Fernandez
Fernandez playing for [H&R FC ] in September 2023
Personal information
Full name Luis Theo Fernandez[1]
Date of birth (2001-09-28) 28 September 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Enfield, England
Position(s) Defender[2]
Team information
Current team
Eastleigh
Youth career
2015–2019 Stevenage
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 Stevenage 5 (0)
2020Oxford City (loan) 8 (0)
2021Oxford City (loan) 2 (0)
2021–2022King's Lynn Town (loan) 22 (1)
2022–2024 Hampton & Richmond Borough 68 (8)
2024– Eastleigh 0 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:30, 13 May 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of Eastleigh FC

Career

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Stevenage

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Fernandez joined Stevenage at the age of 13 and progressed through the club's youth system.[3] Following Ben Wilmot's inclusion in the Stevenage first-team; Fernandez, who was still playing regularly for the club's under-16 team at the time, was called up to play at centre-back in the FA Youth Cup against Middlesbrough's under-18 team.[4] He played 90 minutes of the match, which Stevenage lost 2–1.[5] Stevenage head of academy coach Stephen Payne stated he felt Fernandez's late inclusion and ability to deal with the "pressure environment" put Fernandez in good stead for his professional career.[4]

Whilst a second-year scholar, aged 17,[3] Fernandez made his first-team debut in Stevenage's 2–1 home defeat to Southend United in the EFL Cup on 13 August 2019, playing the whole match.[6] After the match, he was singled out for praise by manager Dino Maamria, who described Fernandez's debut as being "a Man of the Match performance".[3] Fernandez signed his first professional contract on 28 August 2019.[7] He made eight first-team appearances during the 2019–20 season.[8]

Loan spells

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Having made one first-team appearance for Stevenage during the opening month of the 2020–21 season,[9] Fernandez joined National League South club Oxford City on a three-month loan agreement on 9 October 2020.[10] He made his debut as a 60th-minute substitute in Oxford City's 1–1 away draw with Chelmsford City on 10 October 2020.[11] He played regularly during his time on loan at Oxford City,[2] making 11 appearances in all competitions.[2] Fernandez was recalled by Stevenage on 24 December 2020 following a number of injuries and suspensions within the first-team squad.[12] He rejoined Oxford City on 21 January 2021, on a loan contract for the remainder of the 2020–21 season.[13] He made three further appearances before the National League South season was curtailed due to restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on 24 February 2021.[2][14] Fernandez remained at Oxford City until the conclusion of their FA Trophy campaign, losing at the quarter-final stage to Notts County on 27 February 2021.[2]

He joined National League club King's Lynn Town on a season-long loan agreement on 12 July 2021.[15]

Hampton & Richmond Borough

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On 25 May 2022, Fernandez agreed to join National League South side, Hampton & Richmond Borough ahead of the 2022–23 campaign.[16]

At the end of the 2023–24 season, Fernandez was voted as Players' Player of the Season.[17]

Eastleigh

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On 13 May 2024, Fernandez signed for National League club Eastleigh for an undisclosed fee.[18]

Career statistics

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As of end of 2023–24 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup EFL Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stevenage 2019–20[8] League Two 4 0 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 8 0
2020–21[9] League Two 1 0 0 0 0 0 1[a] 0 2 0
2021–22[2] League Two 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 5 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 10 0
Oxford City (loan) 2020–21[2] National League South 10 0 3 0 2[b] 0 15 0
King's Lynn Town (loan) 2021–22[2] National League 22 1 2 0 0 0 24 1
Hampton & Richmond Borough 2022–23[2] National League South 26 5 0 0 1[b] 0 27 5
2023–24[2] National League South 42 3 2 0 2[b] 0 46 3
Hampton & Richmond Total 68 8 2 0 0 0 3 0 73 8
Career total 105 9 8 0 1 0 8 0 122 9
  1. ^ a b Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  2. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in FA Trophy

References

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  1. ^ "Notification of shirt numbers: Stevenage" (PDF). English Football League. p. 68. Retrieved 27 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Soccerway – Luis Fernandez". Soccerway. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Maamria: It will make us stronger". Stevenage F.C. 14 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Digital Programme: Stevenage vs Bradford City". Stevenage F.C. 20 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Stevenage U18 1–2 Middlesbrough U18". Soccerway. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Stevenage 1–2 Southend United". BBC Sport. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Fernandez & Smith sign pro deals". Stevenage F.C. 28 August 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Games played by Luis Fernandez in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Games played by Luis Fernandez in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Fernandez joins Oxford City on loan". Stevenage F.C. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Chelmsford City 1–1 Oxford City". Soccerway. 10 October 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Revell on COVID Tests, Postponements & Boxing Day clash". Stevenage F.C. 24 December 2020. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  13. ^ "Jacob Bancroft signs for Stevenage, Luis Fernandez leaves on loan". Stevenage F.C. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  14. ^ "Non-league football: Steps three to six curtailed for second season". BBC Sport. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Fernandez joins King's Lynn on loan". Stevenage F.C. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  16. ^ Reid, James (25 May 2022). "BEAVERS SIGN IONTTON AND FERNANDEZ". Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  17. ^ @HAMRICHFC (13 April 2024). "🏆 Your Supporters', Managers' and Players' Players' of the Season! Supporters': @ADZINHO_ Managers': @SamDeadfield Players': @Luis_TF3 Well done lads! #HAMRICHFC 🔴🔵" (Tweet). Retrieved 13 May 2024 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "OFFICIAL: LUIS FERNANDEZ JOINS THE SPITFIRES". www.eastleighfc.com. 13 May 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
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