Yago Fernández


Yago Fernández Prieto, known simply as Yago, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a central defender.

Club career

Early years

Born in Lisbon to a Spanish father, Yago played for four clubs during his youth career, starting with hometown's S.L. Benfica at the age of nine then successively representing Sporting CP, Real Madrid and Valencia CF. As a senior, his first spell was with the latter's reserve team in Tercera División, in a promotion-ending campaign.
Subsequently, Yago continued in Spain, playing two years for RCD Espanyol B, helping the side promote to Segunda División B 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.

Malmö

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.
On 8 December 2010, shortly after winning the Allsvenskan title, Yago signed a new one-year deal with Malmö. However, they chose not to offer him a new contract after the 2011 season.

AEK Athens

In August 2012, following a five-month spell with Girona FC in Segunda División, during which he scored in a 5–3 home win against Xerez CD, Yago agreed to a three-year contract with AEK Athens FC.

Häcken

On 19 August 2013, Yago signed for BK Häcken, thus returning to Sweden. In November, after failing to make an appearance, he left the club.

Oriental

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

Club statistics

Honours

Malmö FF