Newcastle United have confirmed that Federico Fernandez has left the club after four years on Tyneside.
The Argentine defender has sealed a move to Elche CF, joining the La Liga side on a permanent deal as we edge just minutes away from tonight’s 11pm cut-off.
Fernandez becomes the fifth player to leave the club on deadline day, with Martin Dubravka (Man Utd), Matty Longstaff (Colchester), Kell Watts (Peterborough) and Lucas De Bolle (Hamilton Academical) all sealing late loan moves.
The 33-year-old arrived from Swansea in 2018 and has been a brilliant servant at St James’ Park, rarely letting us down during the Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce eras and being regularly praised for his professionalism and popularity behind the scenes by Eddie Howe.
However, it felt the right time for all parties to move him on, as he was out of contract next summer and slipping way down the pecking order at centre-back after recent moves for Dan Burn and Sven Botman.
Official statement on NUFC.co.uk on September 1st:
Defender Federico Fernández has left Newcastle United to join Elche CF after just over four years at St. James’ Park.
The 33-year-old Argentina international joined the Magpies in August 2018, from Swansea City, and made 89 appearances for the club, scoring twice and captaining the team on occasion in the absence of regular skipper Jamaal Lascelles.
A popular player with supporters, staff and team-mates, he struggled with injuries last term and played only twice under Eddie Howe, but the head coach has previously spoken of the former Napoli man’s influence off the pitch, while he frequently demonstrated his abilities on it during his time on Tyneside.
And he has now signed for the La Liga side, who are currently 17th in Spain’s top flight, on a permanent basis.
Fernández departs with the best wishes of everybody at Newcastle United and the club thanks him for his service.
