Paolo Fernandes
Spanish footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Paolo Fernandes Cantin (born 19 August 1998) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Khaleej, on loan from AEK Athens. Mainly a left winger, he also plays as an attacking midfielder.[2]
|
Fernandes with Manchester City in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paolo Fernandes Cantin[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 19 August 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Zaragoza, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in) | ||
| Position(s) | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Al-Khaleej (on loan from AEK Athens) | ||
| Number | 11 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2013 | Zaragoza | ||
| 2013–2017 | Manchester City | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2020 | Manchester City | 0 | (0) |
| 2017–2019 | → NAC Breda (loan) | 33 | (2) |
| 2019–2020 | → Perugia (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Castellón | 10 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Volos | 31 | (6) |
| 2022– | AEK Athens | 41 | (2) |
| 2022 | → Volos (loan) | 9 | (2) |
| 2025– | → Al-Khaleej (loan) | 19 | (3) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 7 March 2026 | |||
Club career
Manchester City
Born in Zaragoza, Aragon to a Capeverdean father,[3][4] Fernandes started his career at Real Zaragoza. In 2013, aged 15, he joined Manchester City after being invited to train for the squad.[5] Zaragoza later claimed to the Royal Spanish Football Federation that the player was not allowed to join City,[6] and the English club agreed to pay a compensation fee for the move (rumoured to be € 180,000);[7] despite still training at City, he was only registered in August 2014 when he reached the age of 16.[8]
Initially assigned to the under-18 squad, Fernandes progressed through the EDS and represented the under-21s and under-23s. With the latter side he scored 11 goals in 22 appearances in the 2016–17 Premier League 2 Division 1.
Loan to NAC Breda
On 24 June 2017, after finishing his formation, Fernandes, Thierry Ambrose and fellow compatriot Pablo Marí were loaned to Eredivisie side Breda.[9] He made his professional debut on 12 August, coming on as a half-time substitute for Giovanni Korte in a 1–4 away loss against Vitesse.
Fernandes scored his first professional goal on 3 December 2017, netting his team's third in a 3–1 home win against Excelsior. The following 12 July, his loan was extended for a further season,[10] but only contributed with eight league appearances.
Loan to Perugia
On 17 July 2019, Fernandes joined Serie B side Perugia on loan for the 2019–20 season.[11] He appeared in 16 league matches overall, totalling ten starts.
Castellón
Fernandes joined Segunda División newcomers Castellón on 3 September 2020, signing a three-year contract.[12]
Volos
On 29 June 2021, he was announced from the Greek Super League club Volos as their newest addition, their 7th transfer for the upcoming season, until now, with a brief announcement that does not disclose the duration of the contract signed.[13] On 19 September 2021, he scored his first goal in a 3–1 away win against Apollon Smyrnis.[14]
AEK Athens
On 15 September 2022, Fernandes signed a four-year contract with Greek Super League club AEK Athens. The player will join the club permanently on 1 January 2023.[15]
Career statistics
- As of match played 10 November 2024[2]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| NAC Breda (loan) | 2017–18 | Eredivisie | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 2 | ||
| 2018–19 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 2 | ||||
| Perugia (loan) | 2019–20 | Serie B | 13 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 0 | ||
| Castellón | 2020–21 | Segunda División | 10 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — | — | 12 | 1 | ||
| Volos | 2021–22 | Superleague Greece | 27 | 5 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 30 | 6 | ||
| 2022–23 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 1 | ||||
| Total | 31 | 6 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 34 | 7 | ||||
| Volos (loan) | 2022–23 | Superleague Greece | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 2 | ||
| AEK Athens | 2022–23 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — | — | 19 | 2 | |||
| 2023–24 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 9 | 0 | ||||
| 2024–25 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 7 | 1 | |||
| Total | 25 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 121 | 12 | 18 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 142 | 15 | ||
Honours
AEK Athens
