Roberto Fernández (footballer, born 2002)

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Roberto Fernández

| image =

| caption =

| full_name = Roberto Fernández Jaén

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|7|3|df=y}}

| birth_place = Puente Genil, Spain

| height = 1.83m

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Espanyol
(on loan from Braga)

| clubnumber = 2

| youthyears1 = 2008–2012 | youthclubs1 = Puente Genil

| youthyears2 = 2012–2014 | youthclubs2 = Córdoba

| youthyears3 = 2014–2017 | youthclubs3 = Sevilla

| youthyears4 = 2017–2018 | youthclubs4 = Córdoba

| youthyears5 = 2018–2021 | youthclubs5 = Málaga

| years1 = 2021–2024 | clubs1 = Málaga | caps1 = 66 | goals1 = 17

| years2 = 2022 | clubs2 = Málaga B | caps2 = 0 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2022–2023 | clubs3 = → Barcelona B (loan) | caps3 = 34 | goals3 = 6

| years4 = 2024– | clubs4 = Braga | caps4 = 15 | goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2025– | clubs5 = → Espanyol (loan) | caps5 = 11 | goals5 = 5

| nationalyears1 = 2024– | nationalteam1 = Spain U21| nationalcaps1 = 1| nationalgoals1 = 1

| club-update = 13 April 2025

| nationalteam-update = 03:55, 16 October 2024 (UTC)

}}

Roberto Fernández Jaén (born 3 July 2002) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a forward for RCD Espanyol, on loan from Portuguese club SC Braga.

Club career

=Málaga=

Born in Puente Genil, Córdoba, Andalusia, Fernández represented Puente Genil FC, Córdoba CF, Sevilla FC and Málaga CF as a youth.{{cite web|url=https://puentegenilok.es/2021/05/02/el-pontanes-roberto-fernandez-convocado-con-el-primer-equipo-del-malaga-cf/|title=El pontanés Roberto Fernández convocado con el primer equipo de Málaga CF|trans-title=The pontanés Roberto Fernández called up with Málaga CF's first team|publisher=Puente Genil OK|language=es|date=2 May 2021|accessdate=16 August 2021}} On 4 December 2020, while still a youth, he renewed his contract with the latter side until 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.malagahoy.es/malaga_cf/Malaga-renueva-juvenil-Roberto-Fernandez_0_1525647780.html|title=El Málaga renueva al juvenil Roberto Fernández hasta 2024|trans-title=Málaga renew the juvenil Roberto Fernández until 2024|publisher=Málaga Hoy|language=es|date=4 December 2020|accessdate=16 August 2021}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/segunda-division/malaga-vs-mirandes/cronica/2021/08/16/611a9ae1e2704e76b98b45e6.html|title=El Málaga dominó en la primera parte y el Mirandés, en la segunda|trans-title=Málaga dominated in the first half and Mirandés, in the second|publisher=Marca|language=es|date=16 August 2021|accessdate=16 August 2021}} 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.{{cite news |title=Roberto will continue with his growth at FC Barcelona |url=https://www.malagacf.com/en/news/roberto-will-continue-with-his-growth-at-fc-barcelona |publisher=Málaga CF |date=22 July 2022 |access-date=22 July 2022 }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://scbraga.pt/roberto-fernandez-e-reforco/|title=Roberto Fernández é reforço!|trans-title=Roberto Fernández is an addition!|publisher=SC Braga|language=pt|date=9 July 2024|accessdate=10 July 2024}} 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.

On 14 January 2025, Fernández was loaned to La Liga side RCD Espanyol until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.rcdespanyol.com/ca/noticia/roberto-fernandez,-nou-jugador-del-rcd-espanyol/18125|title=Roberto Fernández, nou jugador del RCD Espanyol|trans-title=Roberto Fernández, new player of RCD Espanyol|publisher=RCD Espanyol|language=ca|date=14 January 2025|accessdate=14 January 2025}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Europe !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Málaga \|2021–22 \|Segunda División \|32	2	2	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	34	3
2023–24 \|Primera Federación \|34	15	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	4{{efn\|name=PPO\|Appearances in promotion play-offs}}	5	41	20
colspan="2"\|Total !66	17	4	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	4	5	75	23
Málaga B \|2021–22 \|Tercera Federación \|0	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	1{{efn\|name=PPO}}	0	1	0
Barcelona B (loan) \|2022–23 \|Primera Federación \|34	6	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	2{{efn\|name=PPO}}	1	36	7
Braga \|2024–25 \|Primeira Liga \|15	2	2	0	1	0	12{{efn\|name=UEL\|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	1	colspan="2"\|—	30	3
colspan="3"\|Career total !114	25	7	1	1	0	12	1	7	6	141	33