Roberto Fernández (footballer, born 2002)
Spanish association football player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Roberto Fernández Jaén (born 3 July 2002) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a forward for RCD Espanyol.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roberto Fernández Jaén | ||
| Date of birth | 3 July 2002 | ||
| Place of birth | Puente Genil, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Espanyol | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2008–2012 | Puente Genil | ||
| 2012–2014 | Córdoba | ||
| 2014–2017 | Sevilla | ||
| 2017–2018 | Córdoba | ||
| 2018–2021 | Málaga | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2024 | Málaga | 66 | (17) |
| 2022 | Málaga B | 0 | (0) |
| 2022–2023 | → Barcelona B (loan) | 34 | (6) |
| 2024–2025 | Braga | 15 | (2) |
| 2025 | → Espanyol (loan) | 19 | (6) |
| 2025– | Espanyol | 45 | (13) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024–2025 | Spain U21 | 6 | (2) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 September 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 21 June 2025 | |||
Club career
Málaga
Born in Puente Genil, Córdoba, Andalusia, Fernández represented Puente Genil FC, Córdoba CF, Sevilla FC and Málaga CF as a youth.[1] On 4 December 2020, while still a youth, he renewed his contract with the latter side until 2024.[2]
On 16 August 2021, before even having appeared for the reserves, Fernández made his first-team debut by starting in a 0–0 home draw against CD Mirandés in the Segunda División.[3] He scored his first professional goal six days later, netting the equalizer in a 2–2 away draw against UD Ibiza.
On 22 July 2022, Fernández joined FC Barcelona on a one-year loan deal, being initially assigned to the reserves in Primera Federación.[4] Upon returning, he became an undisputed starter for the club, scoring 20 goals overall during the campaign as Málaga returned to the second division at first attempt.
Braga
On 9 July 2024, Fernández moved abroad for the first time in his career and signed a five-year contract with Primeira Liga side SC Braga, for a fee of € 1.8 million plus 1.2 million on variables.[5] He scored his first goal for the club on 15 August, netting the side's second in a 2–1 away win over Servette FC in the UEFA Europa League.
Espanyol
On 14 January 2025, Fernández was loaned to La Liga side RCD Espanyol until the end of the season.[6] He made his debut in the category three days later, scoring the winner in a 2–1 home success over Real Valladolid.
On 27 June 2025, Fernández signed a permanent six-year deal with the Pericos, after the club acquired 50% of his economic rights.[7]
International career
After representing Spain at under-21 level in 2024, Fernández received his first call-up to the full side on 18 September 2026, for the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League matches against England, Croatia and Czech Republic.[8]
Career statistics
- As of match played 18 September 2026
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Málaga | 2021–22 | Segunda División | 32 | 2 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — | 34 | 3 | |||
| 2023–24 | Primera Federación | 34 | 15 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 4[c] | 5 | 41 | 20 | |||
| Total | 66 | 17 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 4 | 5 | 75 | 23 | ||||
| Málaga B | 2021–22 | Tercera Federación | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 1[d] | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| Barcelona B (loan) | 2022–23 | Primera Federación | 34 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 2[c] | 1 | 36 | 7 | ||
| Braga | 2024–25 | Primeira Liga | 15 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12[e] | 1 | — | 30 | 3 | |
| Espanyol (loan) | 2024–25 | La Liga | 19 | 6 | — | — | — | — | 19 | 6 | ||||
| Espanyol | 2025–26 | La Liga | 38 | 7 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 40 | 7 | |||
| 2026–27 | La Liga | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | 7 | 6 | ||||
| Espanyol total | 64 | 19 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 66 | 19 | |||||
| Career total | 178 | 44 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 207 | 52 | ||
- Includes Copa del Rey, Taça de Portugal
- Includes Taça da Liga
- Appearances in Primera Federación play-offs
- Appearance in Tercera Federación play-offs
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League