Mateus Fernandes (footballer)
Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes (born 10 July 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club West Ham United and the Portugal national team.
Article
Mateus Fernandes (footballer)
Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes (born 10 July 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club West Ham United and the Portugal national team.
Club career
Sporting CP
Fernandes is a youth product of his local club Olhanense, and moved to Sporting CP's youth academy in 2016. He was promoted to their B-team for the 2021–22 season. On 14 October 2022, Fernandes signed a professional contract with the club tying him until 2027 with a release clause of €60 million. He made his professional and senior debut with Sporting as a late substitute in a 3–1 Primeira Liga win over Casa Pia on 22 October 2022.
On 29 August 2023, Primeira Liga club Estoril announced the signing of Fernandes on a season-long loan from Sporting.
Southampton
On 20 August 2024, Fernandes joined Southampton on a five-year contract. He made his debut for the club on 24 August 2024 in a 1–0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest after he replaced Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the 76th minute. On 28 August 2024, Fernandes scored his first goal for the club in a 5–3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup.
West Ham United
On 29 August 2025, Fernandes joined West Ham United on a five-year contract, for a fee reported to be “more than £40m”. He became the club's third-biggest signing, behind the £45m paid for Sebastien Haller and the £51m paid for Lucas Paquetá.
On 14 December, he scored against Aston Villa after 29 seconds, making it the fastest Premier League goal of the season. The game ended 3–2 to Villa.
International career
Mateus Fernandes (footballer)
Fernandes is a youth international for Portugal, having played up to the Portugal U21s.
Career statistics
Mateus Fernandes (footballer)
<table><thead><tr><th>Club</th><th>Season</th><th>League</th><th>National cup</th><th>League cup</th><th>Europe</th><th>Other</th><th>Total</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Division</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td><td>Apps</td><td>Goals</td></tr><tr><td>Sporting CP B</td><td>2021–22</td><td>Liga 3</td><td>18</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>18</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2022–23</td><td>Liga 3</td><td>18</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>18</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>36</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>36</td><td>2</td></tr><tr><td>Sporting CP</td><td>2022–23</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>7</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>2023–24</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>2024–25</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>0</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>2</td><td>1</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>10</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Estoril (loan)</td><td>2023–24</td><td>Primeira Liga</td><td>28</td><td>1</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>35</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Southampton</td><td>2024–25</td><td>Premier League</td><td>36</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>4</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>42</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>2025–26</td><td>Championship</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>1</td><td>1</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>4</td><td>1</td></tr><tr><td>Total</td><td>39</td><td>2</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>46</td><td>4</td></tr><tr><td>West Ham United</td><td>2025–26</td><td>Premier League</td><td>27</td><td>3</td><td>0</td><td>0</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>—</td><td>27</td><td>3</td></tr><tr><td>Career total</td><td>135</td><td>8</td><td>5</td><td>0</td><td>11</td><td>3</td><td>2</td><td>0</td><td>1</td><td>0</td><td>154</td><td>11</td></tr></tbody></table>