Lester Fernandez
Lester Fernandez (born 6 December 1986) is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and current football coach.[3]
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Personal information | |||
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Date of birth | [1] | 6 December 1986||
Place of birth | Bangalore, Karnataka, India[2] | ||
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)[2] | ||
Playing position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
2003–2007 | Tata FA | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2007–2008 | Dempo | ||
2008–2009 | Vasco | ||
2009–2010 | Salgaocar | ||
2010–2012 | Pune | ||
2012–2013 | United SC | 11 | (0) |
2013 | Mumbai Tigers | 0 | (0) |
2014 | Pune | 1 | (0) |
2014 | Atlético de Kolkata | 6 | (0) |
2015 | Bharat FC | 9 | (0) |
2019–2020 | Kenkre | ||
National team‡ | |||
2012 | India | 2 | (0) |
Teams managed | |||
SP Academy | |||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 30 May 2020 ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 16:48, 27 March 2020 (UTC) |
Career
Early career
Born in Bangalore, Karnataka, Fernandez graduated from the Tata Football Academy in 2007.[4] He then signed his first professional deal with Dempo of the I-League. He then signed for Vasco next season before signing with Salgaocar the next season in 2009.[4]
He then signed for I-League side Pune F.C. in 2010.[4] After the 2010–11 season, Fernandez was voted the Fans' Player of the Year.[4]
Prayag United and Mumbai Tigers
On 11 June 2012 it was announced that Fernandez had been sold to fellow I-League side Prayag United for Rs 20 lakh.[5] He made his debut for Prayag United on 7 October 2012 against Air India in a league match. He came on in the 82nd minute for C.K. Vineeth as Prayag United won 5–1.[6]
After the 2012–13 season, Fernandez left Prayag United due to lack of playing time and signed for Mumbai Tigers who were expected to participate in the I-League for the 2013–14 season.[7] However, before the season began, it was announced that Mumbai Tigers had dropped out of the I-League, meaning that Fernandez would not participate in the league.[8]
Pune
On 18 February 2014 it was announced that Fernandez had re-signed with former club Pune.[4] He made his return debut for the club on 19 February 2014 against Mohammedan. He came on as a 65th-minute substitute for Anthony D'Souza as Pune won 2–0.[9]
Atletico de Kolkata
Fernandez was drafted by Indian Super League franchise Atlético de Kolkata in the 10th round.[10] In his second match against Chennaiyin FC, he won the ISL Emerging player of the match award.[11]
International
In February 2012 Fernandez was selected into India head coach Savio Medeira's 30-man squad.[12] He then made his international debut for India on 23 February 2012 against Oman in which he started and played 56 minutes as India lost 5–1.[13]
Honours
- Atlético de Kolkata
References
- Lester Fernandez at Soccerway
- "Lester Fernandez". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "Whatever happened to Lester Fernandez? The talented midfielder who won the ISL | Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- "Pune FC re-sign winger Lester Fernandez". Times of India. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "Pune FC sells Lester to Prayag United for Rs 20 lakh". Times of India. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "United vs. Air India 5 - 1". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "Mumbai Tigers to rope in Lester Fernandez and Shylo Malsawmtluanga". Goal.com. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "Mumbai Tigers pull out of I-League". Zee News. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "Pune vs. Mohammedan 2 - 0". Soccerway. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "ISL 10th round draft". Facebook. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- "Atletico de Kolkata vs Chennaiyin FC". Indian Super League. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
- "Team India leaves for Dubai". The All India Football Federation. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- "Oman thrash India 5-1 in an international friendly". Times of India. Retrieved 20 February 2014.