Yago Fernández Explained

Yago
Fullname:Yago Fernández Prieto[1]
Birth Date:5 January 1988
Birth Place:Lisbon, Portugal
Height:1.92 m
Position:Centre-back
Youthyears1:1998–2001
Youthclubs1:Benfica
Youthyears2:2001–2002
Youthclubs2:Sporting CP
Youthyears3:2002–2005
Youthclubs3:Real Madrid
Youthyears4:2005–2007
Youthclubs4:Valencia
Years1:2007–2008
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2008–2010
Caps2:36
Goals2:0
Years3:2010
Clubs3:Gil Vicente (loan)
Caps3:0
Goals3:0
Years4:2010–2011
Caps4:23
Goals4:4
Years5:2012
Caps5:5
Goals5:1
Years6:2012–2013
Caps6:13
Goals6:1
Years7:2013
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Years8:2014
Caps8:9
Goals8:1
Years9:2014–2015
Caps9:12
Goals9:0
Years10:2015–2016
Caps10:3
Goals10:0
Years11:2016–2017
Caps11:2
Goals11:0
Years12:2017–2018
Caps12:1
Goals12:0
Totalcaps:107
Totalgoals:7
Nationalyears1:2003–2004
Nationalcaps1:4
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2004–2005
Nationalcaps2:12
Nationalgoals2:1
Nationalyears3:2005–2006
Nationalcaps3:5
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2006–2007
Nationalcaps4:8
Nationalgoals4:0
Nationalyears5:2008
Nationalcaps5:1
Nationalgoals5:0

Yago Fernández Prieto (born 5 January 1988), known simply as Yago, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Club career

Early career

Born in Lisbon to a Spanish father, Yago played for four clubs during his youth career, starting with S.L. Benfica at the age of 9 then successively representing Sporting CP, Real Madrid[2] and Valencia CF. As a senior, his first spell was with the latter's reserve team in the Tercera División, in a promotion-ending campaign.[3]

Subsequently, Yago continued in Spain, spending two years with RCD Espanyol B,[4] helping the side to promote to Segunda División B[5] and being relegated in his second season. In January 2010, he returned to his country for an unassuming loan spell with Gil Vicente F.C. in the Segunda Liga (no appearances whatsoever).[6]

Malmö FF

In July 2010, after not having his contract renewed by Espanyol, Yago was taken on trial by Swedish club Malmö FF, which had just lost Jasmin Sudić with a ruptured cruciate ligament. He played against Fulham in a 0–0 friendly draw, and his performance earned him a contract for the rest of the year, with the deal being confirmed by manager Roland Nilsson.[7] [8]

On 8 December 2010, shortly after winning the Allsvenskan title, Yago signed a new one-year extension.[9] However, they chose not to offer him a new contract after the 2011 season.[10]

AEK Athens

In August 2012, following a five-month spell with Girona FC in the Segunda División,[11] during which he scored in a 5–3 home win over Xerez CD,[12] Yago agreed to a three-year contract at AEK Athens FC. He scored his only goal in the Super League Greece on 16 September, opening an eventual 1–1 home draw with Aris Thessaloniki FC.[13]

Häcken

On 19 August 2013, Yago joined BK Häcken, thus returning to Sweden.[14] In November, after failing to make an appearance, he left the club.[15]

Oriental

Yago moved to Clube Oriental de Lisboa in early August 2014, following a short stint in Kazakhstan with FC Shakhter Karagandy.[16] He played his first game as a professional in his country on 5 October, featuring the full 90 minutes in the 0–0 home draw against G.D. Chaves.[17]

Later career

Yago retired in 2018 aged 30, following unassuming spells with Spanish amateurs La Roda CF and CF Torre Levante and Portuguese third-tier side U.D. Leiria.[18]

International career

Yago represented Portugal at youth level.[19] [20] [21]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valencia B2007–08Tercera División3030
Espanyol B2008–09Tercera División190190
2009–10Segunda División B170170
Total360360
Gil Vicente (loan)2009–10Segunda Liga00000000
Malmö FF2010[22] Allsvenskan10300100
2011Allsvenskan131001010150
Total234001010254
Girona2011–12Segunda División510051
AEK Athens2012–13Super League Greece13110141
Shakhter Karagandy2014Kazakhstan Premier League910010101
Oriental2014–15Segunda Liga1201010140
Career total1017201010201077

Honours

Malmö FF

2010[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yago. Mais Futebol. pt. 11 October 2023.
  2. Web site: Yago Fernandez: o português desconhecido do Real Madrid. Yago Fernandez: Real Madrid's unknown Portuguese. TVI 24. Ricardo. Gouveia. pt. 19 December 2003. 26 September 2019.
  3. News: El Liverpool, interesado en Yago Fernández, del filial valencianista. Liverpool, interested in Yago Fernández, of Valencia's reserves. Diario AS. es. 11 February 2006. 26 September 2019.
  4. News: Torrejón empieza la recuperación. Torrejón starts recovering. Sport. es. 5 September 2008. 11 October 2023.
  5. News: Gimnástica y Espanyol B son ya equipos de Segunda B. Gimnástica and Espanyol B are already Segunda B teams. Marca. es. 31 May 2009. 12 October 2023.
  6. News: Yago reforça defesa. Yago bolsters defence. O Jogo. Mário. Vieira. pt. 30 January 2010. 11 October 2023.
  7. Web site: Yago Fernández klar för Malmö FF. Yago Fernández ready for Malmo FF. Malmö FF. sv. 30 July 2010. 11 October 2023.
  8. Web site: Yago Fernández klar för Malmö FF. Yago Fernández ready for Malmo FF. Svenska Fans. Helen. Johansson. sv. 30 July 2010. 11 October 2023.
  9. Web site: Yago och Malm klara!. Yago and Malm done!. Malmö FF. sv. 8 December 2010. 11 October 2023.
  10. News: Inget MFF-kontrakt för Nkili. No MFF contract for Nkili. Sydsvenskan. sv. 29 November 2011. 29 November 2011.
  11. News: El Girona ficha al defensa portugués Yago Fernández. Girona sign Portuguese defender Yago Fernández. Diario AS. es. 24 January 2012. 11 March 2014.
  12. News: 5–3: El Girona respira en un partido con alternativas y polémica. 5–3: Girona breathe in game of alternatives and controversy. Mundo Deportivo. es. 10 March 2012. 11 March 2014.
  13. News: Yago Fernández marca no empate do AEK de Atenas. Yago Fernández scores in AEK Athens draw. Record. pt. 16 September 2012. 11 October 2023.
  14. News: Guldhjälte i Malmö ska rädda Häcken. Golden hero in Malmö will save Hacken. Aftonbladet. Fredrik. Jönsson. sv. 19 August 2013. 20 August 2013.
  15. Web site: Officiellt: BK Häcken släpper sex spelare. Official: BK Häcken release six players. Fotbolltransfers. sv. 5 November 2013. 17 June 2014.
  16. Web site: Defesa Yago Férnandez reforça Oriental por uma temporada. Defender Yago Fernández strengthens Oriental for one season. Visão. pt. 2 August 2014. 4 August 2014.
  17. News: Oriental-Chaves, 0–0: Jogo muito disputado a meio campo. Oriental-Chaves, 0–0: Hard-fought game in midfield. Record. pt. 5 October 2014. 6 July 2016.
  18. Web site: Yago Fernández e Fabrice Kah 'fecham' plantel da UD Leiria. Yago Fernández and Fabrice Kah 'close' UD Leiria squad. Futebol Distrital de Leiria. José. Roque. pt. 27 July 2017. 12 October 2023.
  19. News: Sub-17: Portugal goleia São Marino. Under-17: Portugal thrash San Marino. Record. pt. 24 September 2004. 11 October 2023.
  20. News: Sub-19: Portugal perde (2–3) na Dinamarca. Under-19: Portugal lose (2–3) in Denmark. Record. pt. 5 September 2006. 11 October 2023.
  21. News: Sub-19: Problemas em Ibiza atrasam voo de Yago. Under-19: Problems in Ibiza delay Yago's flight. Record. pt. 3 July 2007. 11 October 2023.
  22. Web site: Yago. Soccerway. 18 January 2015.