Pablo Hernández (footballer, born 1985)

Pablo Hernández Domínguez (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpaβlo eɾˈnandeθ]; born 11 April 1985) is a Spanish retired professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder and winger.

For the Argentine-born Chilean footballer, see Pablo Hernández (footballer, born 1986).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Hernández and the second or maternal family name is Domínguez.

Pablo Hernández
Hernández playing for Valencia in 2008
Personal information
Full name Pablo Hernández Domínguez[1]
Date of birth (1985-04-11) 11 April 1985[2]
Place of birth Castellón de la Plana, Spain[3]
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[2]
Position(s) Attacking midfielder, winger
Youth career
AVV Rafalafena
1997–2003 Castellón
2003–2004 Valencia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Valencia B 16 (4)
2004–2005 → Onda (loan) 28 (5)
2006–2007 Valencia 1 (0)
2007 → Cádiz (loan) 22 (4)
2007–2008 Getafe 28 (3)
2008–2012 Valencia 111 (16)
2012–2014 Swansea City 57 (5)
2014–2017 Al-Arabi 13 (6)
2015 → Al-Nasr (loan) 12 (3)
2015–2016 → Rayo Vallecano (loan) 27 (3)
2016–2017 → Leeds United (loan) 15 (3)
2017–2021 Leeds United 152 (31)
2021–2023 Castellón 52 (6)
Total 534 (89)
International career
2009–2010 Spain 4 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

In a spell which also included two loans, he played the early part of his career with Valencia, appearing in 158 official matches and scoring 25 goals. He also competed in Wales for two years with Swansea City, and several seasons in England with Leeds United.

Hernández represented Spain at the 2009 Confederations Cup.

Club career

Valencia

Born in Castellón de la Plana, Province of Castellón, Valencian Community, Hernández was a product of Valencia's youth system (operating as striker in the B team). He made his debut with the main squad on the last matchday of 2005–06, playing 20 minutes in a 1–2 away loss against Osasuna.[4] Midway through the following season, he was loaned to Segunda División side Cádiz.

In July 2007, Valencia included Hernández in the transfer that brought Alexis from Getafe to the Mestalla Stadium, but would re-buy him for €1 million in July 2008.[5] The player was subsequently signed to a six-year contract.[6]

Hernández scored his first goal for Valencia on 27 November 2008, in a 4–0 win over Rosenborg in the group stage of the UEFA Cup, after an individual effort.[7] After having subbed in for Rubén Baraja in the second half of a home fixture with Recreativo, he netted his second and first in the league, in a 1–1 draw in March 2009. The following month, also as a replacement but now for Joaquín,[8] he added his third, in a 3–1 home defeat of Sevilla – deep into injury time, against ten men.[9]

On 25 April 2009, this time as a starter,[10] Hernández fired the hosts into the 2–1 lead against Barcelona, following a run between four players and a one-two with Juan Mata; the match ended 2–2.[11] He scored the second goal in 2009–10's opener, against Sevilla in a 2–0 home victory.[12] Fully established in the starting XI now over Joaquín, he continued to produce fine displays during the campaign, including a 40-meter lob to help defeat Almería 3–0 away.[13]

Hernández scored twice against Club Brugge in extra time of the UEFA Europa League round-of-32 second leg game played at the Mestalla on 25 February 2010, for a 3–0 win (3–1 on aggregate).[14] In 2010–11, he continued battling with Joaquín for first-choice status. On 7 December 2010, he netted at Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League, putting his team 1–0 up at half-time in a 1–1 group stage draw.[15]

Swansea City

On 31 August 2012, Hernández moved to Premier League side Swansea City for three years and a fee of £5.55 million.[16] He scored his first official goal on 20 October, helping to a 2–1 home victory over Wigan Athletic.[17]

Hernández scored his second goal for the Swans on 3 November 2012, a late equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium.[18] He was named to the team of the week published on 3 September by Sky Sports,[19] and started in the final of the Football League Cup on 24 February 2013, helping to a 5–0 rout of Bradford City.[20]

Al-Arabi

On 15 July 2014, Hernández joined Al-Arabi on a three-year deal, having started talks with the Qatari club the previous week. The fee was unknown, but it was speculated that the fee would be lower than the amount paid by Swansea to Valencia for his services two years before.[21]

Hernández returned to Spain and its top tier on 31 August 2015 after a loan spell at Al-Nasr Dubai, agreeing to a one-year loan deal with Rayo Vallecano.[22] He started regularly for the team from the Madrid outskirts, who ended the campaign with relegation.

Leeds United

On 2 August 2016, Hernández signed with Championship club Leeds United on a six-month loan deal, with the option of a permanent move in January 2017, linking up with former Swansea manager Garry Monk[23] and being given the number 19 shirt.[24] After the former failed to receive his paperwork in time from the Qatar Football Association for the opening fixture against Queens Park Rangers (which ended in a 3–0 defeat),[25] he made his debut on 10 August in a 3–2 win at Fleetwood Town in the EFL Cup.[26]

Hernández's league debut for Leeds came in a 1–2 home loss to Birmingham City, on 13 August 2016.[27] On 17 September he scored his first goal, with a curling effort in a 2–0 victory over Cardiff City.[28] On 5 November, he picked up a hamstring injury late on in a 3–2 win against Norwich City at Carrow Road,[29] returning to action after almost two months;[30] he celebrated his return on 26 December with a goal after replacing Hadi Sacko, helping defeat hosts Preston North End 4–1.[31]

Hernández signed a permanent six-month contract on 9 January 2017, with the option to extend the link by 12 months at the end of the season.[32][33] He appeared in his first match after the new agreement four days later, helping his team climb to third in the table after beating Derby County 1–0 at home and being named Player of the match in the process.[34]

On 17 May 2017, the 32-year-old Hernández agreed to a new one-year deal.[35] On 16 April 2018, he was nominated as one of four players for the Leeds Player of The Year award.[36] Ten days later, he ended speculation about his future (with his contract close to expiry) by signing a new two-year extension until June 2020,[37] and on 5 May, he won both its Player of the Year and Players Player Of The Year awards at the annual ceremony.[38]

On 25 August 2018, after Hernández had scored his third goal in five league games, manager Marcelo Bielsa hailed him as "a complete player from every point of view", adding that he had only rarely in his career seen a wide player exert such influence over the whole pitch.[39] On 5 September, he won the Professional Footballers' Association Championship Player Of The Month award for August.[40]

After helping Leeds to a third-place finish in the 2018–19 campaign, Hernández was voted into the PFA Team of the Year on 24 April.[41][42] Four days later, he again won his team's Player of the Year and Players Player Of The Year awards.[43]

On 19 November 2019, Hernández put pen to paper to an extension until 2022.[44] His two crucial match-winning goals at home in early 2020 against Millwall[45] and Reading were key to maintaining sustained pressure on West Bromwich Albion at the top of the table.[46] He finished with nine for the eventual champions by the end of the season,[47] in a return to the Premier League after 16 years.[48]

Castellón

Hernández returned to Spain after five years on 20 July 2021, joining hometown club Castellón who had been recently relegated to the newly created Primera División RFEF; a three-year contract was signed.[49]

In July 2023, Hernández retired aged 38.[50]

International career

After close observation by Spain national team manager Luis Aragonés during his time at Getafe, Hernández was picked for the 32-man provisional squad for UEFA Euro 2008, but did not make the final cut. On 5 June 2009, he was called to represent the country at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa as a replacement for injured Andrés Iniesta,[51] by new boss Vicente del Bosque. He earned his first cap on the 20th, coming on as a substitute for club teammate David Villa in the 60th minute of the last group stage match, a 2–0 defeat of the hosts.[52]

Hernández scored his first international goal on 18 November 2009, playing the entire second half of the 5–1 friendly win in Austria and closing the scoresheet.[53]

Playing style

In 2016, the Yorkshire Evening Post described Hernández as the "most creative player in the Championship," due largely to his runs behind the defence, skill at picking out dangerous passes in open play and aptitude at taking corners and other free kicks.[54]

Club ownership

In June 2017, Hernández became co-owner of Spanish club Castellón (alongside former Valencia teammate Ángel Dealbert and others), where he had started playing 20 years ago.[55] Under his first season of ownership, it won promotion from Tercera División;[56][57] they both left due to disagreements regarding the team in April 2019, but kept their position as shareholders.[58]

Personal life

Hernández' wife, Mar García, is the sister of professional golfer Sergio García, who competes on both the PGA Tour and the PGA European Tour.[56]

He has two sons, Eric and Luca. He is often seen kissing his arms after scoring a goal, where he has tattoos of The Virgin Mary and his sons’ names.[59]

Career statistics

Club
As of 23 May 2021[60]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Valencia 2005–06 La Liga 1000—00—10
Cádiz (loan) 2006–07 Segunda División 22400———224
Getafe 2007–08 La Liga 28361—9[lower-alpha 1]4—438
Valencia 2008–09 La Liga 21341—6[lower-alpha 1]1—315
2009–10 La Liga 33500—11[lower-alpha 1]2—447
2010–11 La Liga 27520—6[lower-alpha 2]2—357
2011–12 La Liga 29350—10[lower-alpha 1]2—445
Total 11016111003370015424
Swansea City 2012–13[61] Premier League 3034020——363
2013–14[61] Premier League 27220006[lower-alpha 1]0—352
Total 57560206000715
Rayo Vallecano (loan) 2015–16 La Liga 27330—00—303
Leeds United 2016–17 Championship 356003000—386
2017–18 Championship 417002200—439
2018–19 Championship 39120000002[lower-alpha 3]04112
2019–20 Championship 369000000—369
2020–21 Premier League 160100000—170
Total 167341052002017536
Career total 412622727248112049677
  1. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  2. Appearances in the UEFA Champions League
  3. Appearances in Championship play-offs

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[62]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Spain 200921
201020
Total41
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first.
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
118 November 2009Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna Austria5–15–1Friendly[53]

Honours

Getafe

Swansea City

Leeds United

Al-Nasr

Spain

Individual

References
  1. "Barclays Premier League squad numbers 2013/14". Premier League. 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  2. "PABLO Hernández". El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  3. "Pablo Hernández" (in Spanish). Eurosport. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  4. "Osasuna 2–1 Valencia". ESPN Soccernet. 16 May 2006. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  5. "El Valencia pagará un millón para recuperar a Pablo Hernández" [Valencia will pay €1 million to re-buy Pablo Hernández]. Marca (in Spanish). 24 January 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  6. "Pablo Hernández firma seis temporadas con el Valencia" [Pablo Hernández signs for six seasons with Valencia]. Marca (in Spanish). 16 June 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  7. "Valencia cruise to victory in Trondheim". UEFA. 27 November 2008. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  8. "Joaquín: "La Liga es muy larga y tendré mi ocasión"" [Joaquín: "The League is very long and I will have my chance"]. Marca (in Spanish). 9 September 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  9. "El Valencia remontó con confianza ante un Sevilla especulador" [Valencia came from behind confidently against speculating Sevilla]. ABC (in Spanish). 19 April 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  10. "El segundo de Emery contesta a Joaquín: "Que piense si ha merecido la continuidad que reclama"" [Emery's sidekick answers Joaquín: "Maybe he should think if he deserves the opportunity he is crying out for"]. Marca (in Spanish). 26 April 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  11. "Valencia 2–2 Barcelona". ESPN Soccernet. 25 April 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  12. "Valencia 2–0 Sevilla FC". ESPN Soccernet. 30 August 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  13. "Pablo inspires Los Che win". ESPN Soccernet. 25 October 2009. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  14. "Extra-time salvo". ESPN Soccernet. 25 February 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  15. "Anderson helps United keep Valencia at bay". UEFA. 7 December 2010. Retrieved 9 December 2016.
  16. "Pablo signs record deal". Swansea City A.F.C. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012.
  17. "Hernandez off mark for Swans". ESPN Soccernet. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  18. "Swansea 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  19. "PL Team of the Week". Sky Sports. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  20. McNulty, Phil (24 February 2013). "Bradford 0–5 Swansea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  21. Wathan, Chris (15 July 2014). "Pablo Hernandez leaves Swansea City for Al Arabi". Wales Online. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  22. "Pablo Hernández nuevo jugador del Rayo" [Pablo Hernández new player of Rayo] (in Spanish). Rayo Vallecano. 31 August 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  23. "Pablo becomes seventh summer signing". Leeds United F.C. 2 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  24. "2016/17 squad numbers confirmed". Leeds United F.C. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
  25. "QPR claim opening victory". Leeds United F.C. 7 August 2016. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  26. "Shoot-out victory seals progress". Leeds United F.C. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 10 August 2016.
  27. "Leeds United 1–2 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 13 August 2016. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
  28. "Wood + Hernández sink Cardiff". Leeds United F.C. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
  29. "Norwich City: Super Vieira strike gives Leeds win". Leeds United F.C. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  30. Wright, David (18 December 2016). "Garry Monk offers huge injury update on key Leeds duo ahead of Preston clash". Sunday Express. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  31. "Preston North End 1–4 Leeds United". BBC Sport. 26 December 2016. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
  32. "Leeds United: Loanee Pablo Hernandez signs on permanent deal for Whites". Yorkshire Evening Post. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  33. "Pablo Hernandez becomes first January signing". Leeds United F.C. 9 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  34. "Derby County: Win sends United third". Leeds United F.C. 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  35. "2017/18 retained list". Leeds United F.C. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  36. "Cast your vote for the Player of The Year awards". Leeds United F.C. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  37. "Pablo Hernandez signs new two year contract". Leeds United F.C. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  38. "Player of the Year 2018 winners". Leeds United F.C. 5 May 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
  39. Hay, Phil (26 August 2018). "Norwich City 0 Leeds United 3: Bielsa hails 'complete' team player Hernandez". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
  40. Urquhart, Joe (5 September 2018). "Leeds United's Pablo Hernandez takes home fan award for August". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  41. Fordham, Josh (24 April 2019). "PFA Championship Team of the Year: Leeds United and Norwich City have three players in XI while Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham also included". Talksport. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  42. "Championship: Norwich and Leeds dominate PFA selection of team of 2018–19". BBC Sport. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  43. "Player of the Year 2019 winners". Leeds United F.C. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  44. "Pablo Hernandez: Leeds United playmaker signs new deal until 2022". BBC Sport. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  45. "Leeds United 3–2 Millwall". BBC Sport. 28 January 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  46. "Leeds United 1–0 Reading". BBC Sport. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  47. "Leeds United Top Scorers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  48. "Leeds United are champions!". Leeds United F.C. 18 July 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  49. Sokout, Omid (20 July 2021). "Pablo Hernández, fichaje estrella del Castellón para la Primera RFEF" [Pablo Hernández, Castellón star signing for Primera RFEF]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  50. "Pablo Hernandez: Former Swansea and Leeds midfielder retires". BBC Sport. 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  51. "Pablo Hernández sustituye a Iniesta" [Pablo Hernández replaces Iniesta]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 5 June 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
  52. White, Duncan (20 June 2009). "Confederations Cup: South Africa into semi-finals despite loss to Spain". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  53. "Una España irrefrenable golea 5–1 a Austria en un amistoso" [Unstoppable Spain rout Austria 5–1 in friendly]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 19 November 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
  54. Street, Adam (11 November 2016). "Leeds United: How Pablo Hernandez has become the most creative player in the Championship". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
  55. Booth, Dominic (13 June 2017). "Former Swansea City and current Leeds United star Pablo Hernandez completes Spanish club takeover". WalesOnline. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  56. Hay, Phil (5 May 2018). "Big Interview: Leeds United's YEP Player of the Year Hernandez ... forged in the fires of Castellon". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  57. "El Castellón regresa a Segunda B siete años después de descender por impagos" [Castellón return to Segunda B seven years after being relegated for unpaid wages]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 24 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  58. "Ángel Dealbert y Pablo Hernández dejan sus cargos en el CD Castellón pero siguen como accionistas" [Ángel Dealbert and Pablo Hernández leave their posts at CD Castellón but remain as shareholders] (in Spanish). Castellón Plaza. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  59. Hay, Phil (11 August 2019). "Hernandez can take Leeds a long way but needs more help to get them where they want to be". The Athletic. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  60. "Pablo Hernández". Soccerway. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
  61. "Pablo". ESPN FC. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  62. "Pablo Hernández". European Football. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  63. "Un perdón con forma de Copa (3–1)" [Pardon in the shape of a Cup (3–1)]. 20 minutos (in Spanish). 17 April 2008. Retrieved 8 January 2019.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pablo Hernández.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.