Brian Fernández
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Brian Leonel Fernández | ||
Date of birth | 26 September 1994 | ||
Place of birth | Santa Fe, Argentina | ||
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
Position(s) | Forward | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Coquimbo Unido | ||
Number | 10 | ||
Youth career | |||
Defensa y Justicia | |||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2012–2014 | Defensa y Justicia | 67 | (15) |
2015–2018 | Racing Club | 15 | (0) |
2017 | → Sarmiento (loan) | 5 | (3) |
2017 | → Metz (loan) | 7 | (0) |
2017 | → Metz II (loan) | 3 | (3) |
2018 | → Unión La Calera (loan) | 12 | (11) |
2018–2019 | Necaxa | 30 | (16) |
2019 | Portland Timbers | 19 | (11) |
2020–2023 | Colón | 5 | (1) |
2021 | → Ferro Carril Oeste (loan) | 23 | (14) |
2022 | → Deportivo Madryn (loan) | 6 | (1) |
2022 | → Ferro Carril Oeste (loan) | 7 | (0) |
2023 | Morelia | 2 | (1) |
2024 | Almirante Brown | 26 | (5) |
2025– | Coquimbo Unido | 0 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 December 2024 |
Brian Fernández (born 26 September 1994) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a forward for Chilean club Coquimbo Unido.
Club career
[edit]Defensa y Justicia
[edit]Fernández made his professional debut for Defensa y Justicia on 25 May 2012 in a 1–0 loss to Ferro Carril Oeste. He participated in three matches but did not score a goal. In the following season Fernández participated in 13 matches, still without scoring.
In the 2013–14 season he secured a position as a starter and scored 11 goals including the goal that secured promotion for his club to the Primera División, against San Martín de San Juan on 15 May 2014.[1][2] On 8 August 2014 he scored his first goal in the Argentine top division in a 3–1 loss to Racing Club.
Racing Club
[edit]On 31 December 2014 Fernández was signed by Racing Club for a reported $1 million in exchange for 50% of his economic rights.[3] His first goal for the club was in the Copa Libertadores group stage against Sporting Cristal on 10 March 2015. He scored three goals in the competition before his club was eliminated by Guaraní in the quarter-finals. Fernández scored both goals in a 2–0 victory for Racing in his debut in the 2014–15 Copa Argentina against Independiente de Neuquén.
After the 12th round of the 2015 Argentine Primera División Fernández tested positive for prohibited controlled substances and was subsequently prohibited from playing professional football until 9 January 2017.[4] Fernández played the entire 2016 season for Racing Club's reserve team in the reserve league.[5]
After a slow return to Racing's professional squad in 2017, manager Diego Cocca had Fernández loaned out to Primera División side Sarmiento in May. For the club, he scored three goals in his first three matches. He played five of six remaining league matches for Sarmiento, who were relegated at the end of the season.[6]
Fernández was recalled to Racing Club after his loan. He scored against Independiente Medellín in the second round of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana on 27 June 2017.
FC Metz
[edit]On 23 August 2017, Fernández joined Ligue 1 side FC Metz on a one-year loan deal. Metz secured an option to sign him permanently.[7] He made seven substitute appearances for the senior squad without scoring before being moved the reserve squad in the Championnat National 3 (fifth division) for the remainder of the 2017 calendar year. In January 2018 his loan deal was terminated.[8]
Unión La Calera
[edit]On 4 January 2018, Fernández was loaned from Racing Club to newly promoted Chilean Primera División club Unión La Calera with an option to buy.[9] The 23 year-old scored 11 goals in 12 league matches for Unión La Calera, helping to deliver one of the best seasons in the club's history.[10] His final match for the club was on 29 May against Colo-Colo, in which he scored in the 2–0 victory. Unión La Calera were 3rd place in the league at the time of Fernández's departure to Mexico.
Necaxa
[edit]On 7 June 2018, Liga MX club Necaxa confirmed the signing of Fernández on a three-year contract from Racing for a reported $3 million.[11] Fernández scored in his Necaxa debut in a 2–1 victory against Club América in the first round of the 2018–19 Apertura season. He scored four goals in 15 Torneo Apertura appearances, and twelve goals in 15 Torneo Clausura appearances, as well as two goals in two Copa MX appearances, both scored as a substitute in a 3–2 loss to Atlético San Luis. Necaxa qualified for the Clausura Liguilla playoffs, but Fernández did not participate because a transfer agreement for him had been reached.
Portland Timbers
[edit]On 6 May 2019, it was announced that Fernández had signed for Major League Soccer side Portland Timbers as a Designated Player for an undisclosed fee reported to be between $10 and $12 million, a Portland Timbers record.[12][13] Fernández netted one goal in his debut against the Houston Dynamo on 16 May, and scored eight goals in his first six matches for the Timbers.
On 7 October 2019, it was announced that Fernández has voluntarily entered MLS' Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program.[14] On 15 November 2019, Major League Soccer announced they had terminated his contract.[15]
Colón
[edit]Following his dismissal by Portland, Fernández moved back to his native Argentina, joining Argentine Primera División side Colón on 10 January 2020.[16][17]
Shortly after signing with Colón, Fernández reportedly disappeared and failed to arrive for training for three days. His disappearance was reported to the police, who issued an order for whereabouts, and he was later found alive and well at home. Various reasons for his absence were given, including "a flu" and later of a "personal problem".[18][19]
On 4 February, Fernández was again to miss training amid reports of a robbery where "...they pointed a gun at my [his] head". They also allegedly stole his Rolex watch and threw a brick through his window.[20] He was also reportedly threatened by his own father, due to his father supporting Colón's local rivals Unión de Santa Fe.[21][22]
Loan spells
[edit]Fernández joined Ferro Carril Oeste in late February 2021 on a loan deal for the rest of the year.[23][24]
In February 2022, he was sent out on loan to Deportivo Madryn until the end of 2022.[25] However, the spell at Deportivo Madryn was cut short and he instead returned to Ferro Carril Oeste on a loan deal until the end of the year.[26] On September 8, 2022, Ferro announced that Fernandez had not shown up for training for two consecutive days and that he "would not be returning again."[27]
Coquimbo Unido
[edit]Fernández returned to Chile after his stint with Unión La Calera and joined Coquimbo Unido for the 2025 season.[28]
Personal life
[edit]Fernández has four footballing brothers: Leandro Fernández, Nicolás Fernández, Juan Cruz Villagra and Tomás Villagra; the latter two took their mother's surname.[29][30][31]
Doping case
[edit]Fernández tested positive for cocaine at two in-competition controls in May 2015, and was subsequently handed a three-month ban from sports by AFA, with the ban ending 3 September 2015.[4] The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) did however seek a two-year ban for him, and he was still suspended in late September 2015.[32] On 28 October it was announced that he had been banned for two years. The substance he had tested positive for was cocaine.[33]
Due to all of those positive drug results, he was moved to Racing Club's reserve team in 2016.[5]
Career statistics
[edit]Club
[edit]- As of 1 July 2019[34]
Club | Season | League | Domestic Cup | League Cup [a] | Continental | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Defensa y Justicia | 2011–12 | Nacional B | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
2012–13 | 13 | 0 | — | — | — | 13 | 0 | |||||
2013–14 | 38 | 11 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 41 | 12 | ||||
2014 | Superliga | 13 | 4 | — | — | — | 13 | 4 | ||||
Total | 67 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 70 | 16 | ||
Racing Club | 2015 | Superliga | 12 | 0 | 1 | 2 | — | 8[b] | 3 | 21 | 5 | |
2016 | — | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||||||
2016–17 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | 1[c] | 0 | 7 | 1 | |||
2017–18 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1[c] | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
Total | 15 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 29 | 7 | ||
Sarmiento (loan) | 2016–17 | Superliga | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 3 | ||
Metz (loan) | 2017–18 | Ligue 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
Metz II (loan) | 2017–18 | National 3 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | |||
Unión La Calera (loan) | 2018 | Primera División | 12 | 11 | — | — | — | 12 | 11 | |||
Necaxa | 2018–19 | Liga MX | 30 | 16 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 32 | 18 | ||
Portland Timbers | 2019 | MLS | 5 | 6 | 2 | 3 | — | — | — | 7 | 9 | |
Career totals | 144 | 54 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 166 | 67 |
- ^ Includes: MLS Cup Playoffs
- ^ Appearances in Copa Libertadores
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana
References
[edit]- ^ ":: BRIAN FERNÁNDEZ, LA PROMESA SE HIZO REALIDAD .:.: Defensa Pasión :.:". defensapasion.com.ar. Archived from the original on 22 August 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Con gol de Brian Fernandez, Defensa y Justicia ascendió a Primera | Extremista.com.ar". 24 September 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "El Racing campeón tiene su primer refuerzo: Brian Fernández – TN.com.ar". Todo Noticias (in Spanish). 5 January 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ a b Suspendido por doping: Brian Fernández estará tres meses sin jugar, canchallena.lanacion.com.ar, 24 July 2015
- ^ a b Duro descargo de Brian Fernández, que insultó a un periodista tras ser acusado por un nuevo doping‚ infobae.com, 19 January 2016
- ^ De 2017, 24 De Mayo. "La pelea de Brian Fernández contra las adicciones: "Estoy fuerte para no consumir más"". Infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved 26 June 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Brian Fernandez (Racing Club) prêté avec option d'achat à Metz". L'Équipe (in French). 23 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ "Official | Argentine striker Brian Fernández has loan terminated by Metz | Get French Football News". www.getfootballnewsfrance.com. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "La Calera incorporó al argentino Brian Fernández". ESPN.cl (in Spanish). 5 January 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Brian Fernández deja La Calera y parte al Necaxa mexicano". La Tercera (in Spanish). 28 May 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Brian Fernández se va al Necaxa de México". Diario Popular (in Spanish). 29 May 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Official: Portland Timbers acquire Brian Fernandez as DP from Necaxa". MLSsoccer.com. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
- ^ Stejskal, Sam. "Timbers sign Argentine DP Brian Fernandez from Necaxa". The Athletic. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Portland Timbers forward Brian Fernandez voluntarily enters league's SABH program | MLSsoccer.com". Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ "Major League Soccer terminates Brian Fernandez contract | Portland Timbers". Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ "Colón announce Brian Fernández signing". BeSoccer. 12 January 2020.
- ^ Colón, Club Atlético (10 January 2020). "¡Bienvenido al Club Atlético Colón, Brian! Tu sueño y el de los sabaleros se hace realidad #ElClubDelPueblopic.twitter.com/yGQYrpTTgc".
- ^ "Colón. Apareció Brian Fernández: "No puedo salir a la calle por las amenazas "". La Nación. 25 January 2020.
- ^ De 2020, 23 De Enero (23 January 2020). "Misterio e incertidumbre tras la ausencia de Brian Fernández a las prácticas en Colón". Infobae.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Brian Fernández sufre de un asalto y una mala relación con su padre por jugar en el otro equipo de la ciudad". ESPN.com.mx. 4 February 2020.
- ^ Rubio, Billy (4 February 2020). "Brian Fernández denuncia que fue víctima de un violento asalto".
- ^ "Brian Fernández faltó a otra práctica de Colón: "Me apuntaron con un arma en la cabeza"". www.clarin.com. 4 February 2020.
- ^ El mensaje de Brian Fernández tras firmar con Ferro, dobleamarilla.com.ar, 25 February 2022
- ^ "Brian Fernández: "Tengo un objetivo: Ascender sí o sí"". Club Ferro Carril Oeste. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
- ^ Tras su paso por Ferro, Brian Fernández fue presentado como nuevo jugador de Deportivo Madryn, dobleamarilla.com.ar, 16 February 2022
- ^ Brian Fernández regresa a Ferro, ferrocarriloeste.org.ar, 11 July 2022
- ^ Otra vez hay preocupación por el estado de Brian: «No va a volver», soydeportes.com.ar, 8 September 2022
- ^ Bustos, Daniel (10 December 2024). "Coquimbo Unido confirma a Brian Fernández como refuerzo". La Tercera (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- ^ "El enorme gesto de Brian Fernández tras la victoria de Colón ante Defensa: Le brindó consuelo a su hermano Juan Cruz Villagra". TNT Sports. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "Brian Fernández: "Fue una alegría enorme jugar contra mi hermano"". LT10. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
- ^ "La dinastía Fernández y Villagra". El Litoral. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
- ^ Brian Fernández presenta mañana un recurso de amparo para poder jugar pese a la inminente sanción de la Conmebol por doping, deportes.terra.com.ar, 22 September 2015
- ^ Argentino é suspenso por dois anos após doping por cocaína na Libertadores, esportes.estado.com.br, 28 October 2015
- ^ "Argentina – B. Fernández – Profile with news, career statistics and history – Soccerway". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
External links
[edit]- Brian Fernández at Soccerway
- Brian Fernández at Major League Soccer
- Living people
- 1994 births
- Men's association football forwards
- Argentine men's footballers
- Argentine expatriate men's footballers
- Argentine Primera División players
- Primera Nacional players
- Ligue 1 players
- Championnat National 3 players
- Chilean Primera División players
- Liga MX players
- Major League Soccer players
- Liga de Expansión MX players
- Defensa y Justicia footballers
- Racing Club de Avellaneda footballers
- Club Atlético Sarmiento footballers
- FC Metz players
- Unión La Calera footballers
- Club Necaxa footballers
- Portland Timbers players
- Club Atlético Colón footballers
- Ferro Carril Oeste footballers
- Deportivo Madryn players
- Atlético Morelia players
- Club Almirante Brown footballers
- Coquimbo Unido footballers
- Designated Players (MLS)
- Doping cases in association football
- Argentine sportspeople in doping cases
- Fernández/Villagra family
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in France
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Chile
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in Mexico
- Argentine expatriate sportspeople in the United States
- Expatriate men's footballers in France
- Expatriate men's footballers in Chile
- Expatriate men's footballers in Mexico
- Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
- Footballers from Santa Fe, Argentina
- 21st-century Argentine sportsmen