Emmanuel Fernandez (footballer)

Last updated

Emmanuel Fernandez
Personal information
Full name Emmanuel Oluwasegun Opeyemi Fernandez [1]
Date of birth (2001-07-17) 17 July 2001 (age 24) [2]
Place of birth London, England [3]
Height 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) [4]
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
Rangers
Number 37
Youth career
2017–2018 Brentford
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2018–2020 Gillingham 0 (0)
2019Sheppey United (loan) 10 (0)
2019Margate (loan) 1 (0)
2020–2021 Ramsgate 0 (0)
2021–2025 Peterborough United 38 (5)
2021Spalding United (loan) 1 (0)
2023Barnet (loan) 8 (0)
2025– Rangers 6 (1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11:26, 7 December 2025 (UTC)

Emmanuel Oluwasegun Opeyemi Fernandez (born 17 July 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Rangers.

Contents

Career

Early career

He began his career with Brentford and Gillingham, [5] and whilst at Gillingham spent time on loan at Sheppey United and Margate. [6] [7] [8] After being released by Gillingham he played for Ramsgate. [9]

Peterborough United

Fernandez signed a two-year contract with Peterborough United in July 2021. [9] [10] He made his debut on 2 April 2022 in a "surprise" selection in a 0–4 home defeat against Middlesbrough. [11] In November 2021, Fernandez joined Spalding United on loan, [12] making one appearance. [13] In March 2023, he joined Barnet on loan until the end of the season. [14]

Rangers

In July 2025, Fernandez joined Scottish Premiership club Rangers for an undisclosed fee. [15]

On 22 November 2025, Fernandez scored his first league goal for Rangers in a 2-1 win over Livingston in the Scottish Premiership. [16]

Personal life

Fernandez was born in London, and is eligible to represent Nigeria. [17] He wears number 37 to honour his brother who died at 37 years old. [18] He is the youngest of 8 children. [19]

Career statistics

As of match played 6 December 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gillingham 2018–19 [20] League Two 0000000000
2019–20 [21] League Two0000000000
Total0000000000
Sheppey United (loan) 2018–19 [7] [22] SCEL Premier Division1000020120
Margate (loan) 2019–20 [23] [22] Isthmian League Premier Division10100020
Ramsgate 2020–21 [24] Isthmian League South East Division00000000
Peterborough United 2021–22 [25] Championship 1000000010
2022–23 [26] League One 0000000000
2023–24 [27] League One7031107 [a] 1182
2024–25 [28] League One305301080425
Total3856120151617
Spalding United (loan) 2021–22 [13] Northern Premier League Division One Midlands10000010
Barnet (loan) 2022–23 [4] [29] National League 80001 [b] 191
Rangers 2025–26 [30] Scottish Premiership 6100111 [c] 082
Career total64671312029410
  1. 6 appearances and 1 goal in the EFL Trophy, 1 appearance in the play-offs.
  2. Appearance in the FA Trophy.
  3. Appearance in the UEFA Europa League

Honours

Peterborough United

References

  1. "Homepage" (PDF). EFL.
  2. "Emmanuel Fernandez". www.rangers.co.uk. 3 July 2025.
  3. "Emmanuel Fernandez". rangers.co.uk. 30 October 2025.
  4. 1 2 "England - E. Fernandez - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com.
  5. "New Peterborough United signing's contract is a reward for persistence over heartbreak". www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk. 12 July 2021.
  6. "Scholars agree work experience deals". www.gillinghamfootballclub.com.
  7. 1 2 "Emmanuel Oluwasegun Opeyemi Fernandez player stats | Southern Counties East Football League". fulltime.thefa.com.
  8. "PLAYER NEWS | Two Additions To Margate Squad". www.margate-fc.co.uk.
  9. 1 2 "Posh swoop for former Gills youngster". Kent Online. 10 July 2021.
  10. "Fernandez Agrees Two-Year Deal". www.theposh.com.
  11. "REPORT: PETERBOROUGH UNITED 0, MIDDLESBROUGH 4: The end is nigh for Posh after a spanking from Boro". www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk. 2 April 2022.
  12. Ray, James (13 November 2021). "Peterborough United summer signings Ethan Bojang, Emmanuel Fernandez join club legend at Spalding United".
  13. 1 2 "Peterborough United teenagers join Gaby Zakuani's Spalding on loan". Peterborough Telegraph. 13 November 2021.
  14. "Fernandez is a Bee! - Barnet Football Club".
  15. "Rangers sign Bournemouth's Joe Rothwell and Peterborough United's Emmanuel Fernandez". BBC Sport. 2 July 2025.
  16. "Ragged Rangers edge out Livingston for controversial win". BBC Sport. 22 November 2025.
  17. "Transfer: Rangers sign Nigerian eligible defender Fernandez". The Nigeran Voice. 3 July 2025.
  18. "'To honour my brother I wear the number 37 on my back' Getting To Know Emmanuel Fernandez". YouTube. 4 July 2025.
  19. Newport, Andrew (14 July 2025). "Emmanuel Fernandez is Rangers ready thanks to relentless family". Daily Record.
  20. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  21. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  22. 1 2 "Emmanuel Fernandez | Player Profile · Aylesbury United Archive". www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com.
  23. "Margate | Appearances | Emmanuel Fernandez | 2019-2020 | Football Web Pages". www.footballwebpages.co.uk.
  24. "Ramsgate | Appearances | 2020-2021 | Football Web Pages".
  25. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  26. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  27. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  28. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  29. "Match Report | Gateshead 3-3 (4-1) Barnet (FA Trophy Semi-Final) - Barnet Football Club". Barnet Football Club.
  30. "Games played by Emmanuel Fernandez in 2025/2026". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  31. Speller, Glenn (13 April 2025). "Birmingham City 0–2 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2025.