Yago Fernández Prieto (born 5 January 1988), known simply as Yago, is a Portuguese former professional footballer who played as a central defender.
Club career Early career Born in Lisbon to a Spanish father, Yago played for four clubs during his youth career, starting with S.L. Benfica at the age of 9 then successively representing Sporting CP, Real Madrid and Valencia CF. As a senior, his first spell was with the latter's reserve team in the Tercera División, in a promotion-ending campaign.
Subsequently, Yago continued in Spain, spending two years with RCD Espanyol B, helping the side to promote to Segunda División B and being relegated in his second season. In January 2010, he returned to his country for an unassuming loan spell with Gil Vicente F.C. in the Segunda Liga (no appearances whatsoever).
Malmö FF In July 2010, after not having his contract renewed by Espanyol, Yago was taken on trial by Swedish club Malmö FF, which had just lost Jasmin Sudić with a ruptured cruciate ligament. He played against Fulham in a 0–0 friendly draw, and his performance earned him a contract for the rest of the year, with the deal being confirmed by manager Roland Nilsson.
On 8 December 2010, shortly after winning the Allsvenskan title, Yago signed a new one-year extension. However, they chose not to offer him a new contract after the 2011 season.
AEK Athens In August 2012, following a five-month spell with Girona FC in the Segunda División, during which he scored in a 5–3 home win over Xerez CD, Yago agreed to a three-year contract at AEK Athens FC. He scored his only goal in the Super League Greece on 16 September, opening an eventual 1–1 home draw with Aris Thessaloniki FC.
Häcken On 19 August 2013, Yago joined BK Häcken, thus returning to Sweden. In November, after failing to make an appearance, he left the club.
Oriental Yago moved to Clube Oriental de Lisboa in early August 2014, following a short stint in Kazakhstan with FC Shakhter Karagandy. He played his first game as a professional in his country on 5 October, featuring the full 90 minutes in the 0–0 home draw against G.D. Chaves.
Later career Yago retired in 2018 aged 30, following unassuming spells with Spanish amateurs La Roda CF and CF Torre Levante and Portuguese third-tier side U.D. Leiria.
International career Yago represented Portugal at youth level.
Career statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsValencia B2007–08Tercera División30————30Espanyol B2008–09Tercera División190————1902009–10Segunda División B170————170Total360————360Gil Vicente (loan)2009–10Segunda Liga000000——00Malmö FF2010Allsvenskan10300———1002011Allsvenskan13100—1010150Total23400—1010254Girona2011–12Segunda División5100———51AEK Athens2012–13Super League Greece13110———141Shakhter Karagandy2014Kazakhstan Premier League9100——10101Oriental2014–15Segunda Liga1201010——140Career total1017201010201077
Honours Malmö FF Allsvenskan: 2010
References
External links