Joaquín Fernández

Sporting Kansas City signed Spanish center back Joaquin Fernandez midway through the 2024 campaign. A 6-foot-3 center back who can also play as a defensive midfielder, Joaquin logged over 300 professional appearances during a 12-year European career, including 85 matches in the top-flight Spanish La Liga with Real Valladolid.

Joaquin joined the UD Almeria youth academy in his hometown and made his senior debut with Almeria B in the Spanish third division as a 16-year-old in December 2012. In 2015, he was promoted to Almeria’s first team in the Spanish Segunda. Joaquin was a regular starter for Almeria from 2016-2018 before moving up to La Liga by signing for newly promoted Real Valladolid. Joaquin was a starter in La Liga from 2018-2021, and although Valladolid was relegated to the second tier in 2021, the team bounced back into the top flight by finishing second in the 2021-22 Spanish Segunda.

In June 2023, Joaquin moved abroad for the first time in his career by joining Turkish side Trabzonspor, making 17 appearances and helping Trabzonspor finish third in the league to qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

On the international stage, Joaquin represented Spain at the U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels from 2012-2014 and participated in 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

PROFESSIONAL

2024: Signed with Sporting KC as a free agent on Aug. 13 and made two appearances late in the season. MLS Regular Season: Started the club's final two matches of the 2024 regular season, making his debut with a 45-minute outing in the 3-0 home loss to LAFC on Oct. 5 before starting and playing the opening 71 minutes of the 2-1 road loss to FC Dallas on Oct. 19, scoring an unfortunate own goal in the first half. Open Cup: Did not feature. Leagues Cup: Did not feature.

Trabzonspor (2023-2024): In June 2023, Joaquin moved abroad for the first time in his career by joining Turkish side Trabzonspor. He made 17 appearances for the club in the 2023-2024 campaign, helping Trabzonspor finish third in the Turkish Super Lig and qualify for the UEFA Europa League.

Real Valladolid (2018-2023): In August 2018, Joaquin jumped to Spain’s top division by signing for newly promoted Real Valladolid. He earned his La Liga debut in November 2018 at Sevilla and opened his Valladolid scoring account in a 2-2 draw at Alaves the following April. Joaquin took another step forward in 2019-20, scoring two goals in 20 La Liga matches as Valladolid vaulted from 16th to 13th in the league table. Joaquin started 25 matches during the 2020-21 campaign, and although Valladolid was relegated to the second tier for the following season, the team bounced back into the top flight by placing second in the 2021-22 Spanish Segunda. Joaquin started in 24 of 26 appearances that year as Valladolid finished tied atop the standings with Almeria but lost the league title on goal differential. Joaquin made a career-high 27 La Liga appearances in 2022-23—scoring in a 4-1 win against Celta Vigo on Oct. 19, 2022—and played his final match for Valladolid in a 3-1 victory over European powerhouse and La Liga champion FC Barcelona on May 23, 2023.

UD Almeria (2015-2018): After developing in the UD Almeria Academy, Joaquin made his senior debut with Almeria B in the Spanish third division as a 16-year-old in December 2012 and in 2015 was promoted to Almeria’s first team in the Spanish Segunda. Joaquin was a regular starter for Almeria during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns, logging 35 appearances each season while garnering interest from clubs in Spain’s prestigious La Liga.

INTERNATIONAL

On the international stage, Joaquin represented Spain at the U-16, U-17 and U-18 levels from 2012-2014. He participated in 2013 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying

YOUTH

Joaquin joined the UD Almeria youth academy in his hometown and made his senior debut with Almeria B in the Spanish third division as a 16-year-old in December 2012. He trialed with English giants Liverpool FC the following year and in 2015 was promoted to Almeria’s first team in the Spanish Segunda.