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The 35-year-old was capped 32 times for Argentina and was part of the squad which reached the 2014 World Cup final
Former Newcastle United centre back Federico Fernandez has announced plans to retire from football later this month at the age of 35.
Fernandez, who currently plays for his local Argentinian side Estudiantes, has confirmed that he will call time on his career at the club where his journey started 16 years ago.
In an emotional post on Instagram, he said: “It’s time to announce that on the 21st I will be playing my last professional football match. Thank you for the opportunity and all the memories we share together.”
Fernandez, who was raised in the small town of Tres Algarrobos in Buenos Aires, came through the academy of local side Estudiantes and made his debut in 2008 in the Copa Sudamericana, forming part of the team which was eventually beaten in the final by Internachional.
He scored his first career goal, following an assist by then team-mate and now manager Juan Sebastion Veron in 2009 and formed part of the team that won the Copa Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious football tournament.
Fernandez enjoyed a three-year stay in the Argentine capital before moving to Europe to start a new chapter with Napoli. By this stage Fernandez, who was a full Argentinian international, played a small role in his side’s Coppa Italia triumph before moving out on loan to Getafe.
The defender made a lasting impression on incoming Napoli manager Rafael Benitez and helped the team to a second Coppa Italia triumph and a third place finish before testing himself in the Premier League with a move to Swansea City in 2014.
That same summer, Fernandez starred for the Argentina team which reached the final of the World Cup. The defender played all of his side’s opening four games but was dropped for the final three games of the tournament as Germany were crowned champions in Brazil.
Fernandez spent five seasons of his career with Swansea City and formed a solid partnership with Ashley Williams during his early years at the club before the Swans’ relegation in 2018.
The Argentinian international made his move to Newcastle United that same summer to be reunited with Benitez and was a reliable presence in the team’s backline for his first three seasons as the Magpies staved off the threat of relegation to the second tier.
Overall, he racked up 89 appearances for Newcastle, scoring two goals while captaining the club on several occasions in Jamaal Lascelles’ absence. He made just seven appearances in an injury-hit final season - including two under Eddie Howe but was heavily praised for his role behind the scenes in that period.
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After his departure Howe told Shields Gazette: "Fede – what an incredible professional, great guy. I can’t speak highly enough of him and his contribution to the football club over many years.
“Unfortunately for us, he picked up a couple of injuries, so we didn’t get to see a lot of him on the pitch, but, behind the scenes, he’s been incredible for us – and he goes with our best wishes.”
Fernandez spent time at Elche and Qatar based side Al-Duhail before returning to the place where it all started to call time on his impressive 16-year career.
Following his retirement Newcastle United posted: “Congratulations on all you have achieved in your playing career. We wish you all the very best for the future.”
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