Sporting KC signs defender Joaquín Fernández

Sporting Kansas City announced they have signed Joaquín Fernández to a contract through 2025. Fernández is a 6-foot-3, 28-year-old Spanish center back that can also play the defensive midfielder role. He has made over 300  appearances during his 12-year professional career, including 85 matches in Spains La Liga with Real Valladolid.

Fernández was most recently with Trabzonspor in the Turkish Süper Lig. He joined them in June of 2023, signing a two-year contract, but only made thirteen league appearances as he battled injuries. Fernández and Trabzonspor mutually agreed to part ways in July of 2024.

Short Contract

With the contract only running through 2025, essentially an eighteen-month deal, Sporting KC is minimizing the risk if Fernández does not stay healthy. If he does overcome his injury woes, they can always attempt to re-sign him next season to a longer deal.

Versatility

Fernández has played primarily in the center back role but is no stranger to the defensive midfield position. According to Transfermsarkt, he played 170 games at center back, 69 at defensive mid, and 27 as a central midfielder. There was even one at right-back apperance but it is unlikely Sporting KC will use him there if it is not an emergency move.

While most of his matches have been at center back, having the experience at the six will make him useful coming off the bench or switching up the formation later in matches. Some of his appearances at defensive mid were coming off the bench late in a match, probably to help close out the game in a double pivot. He does have starts in those roles as well.

Left-sided competition

As a lefty, Fernández will be primarily competing with Andreu Fontàs and Robert Voloder for the remainder of the 2024 season.

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