Leonardo "Leo" Cecilio Fernández López (born 8 November 1998) is a Uruguayan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Liga AUF Uruguaya club Peñarol.
Club career Fénix Born in Montevideo, Fernández joined Fénix's youth setup in 2011, from lowly CSyD Amanecer. On 31 May 2015, aged just 16, he made his first team – and Primera División – debut, coming on as a late substitute for Martín Ligüera in a 2–0 away loss against Peñarol.
After spending his first two seasons as a backup, Fernández started to appear regularly from the 2017 campaign onwards. He scored his first professional goal on 25 March of that year, netting the winner in a 2–1 home defeat of El Tanque Sisley.
On 4 March 2018, Fernández scored a brace in a 3–2 defeat to Defensor Sporting. On 29 July, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 away routing of Cerro, and finished the campaign with 11 goals, playing a key part as his side narrowly avoided relegation.
Tigres UANL On 24 June 2019, Fernández joined Mexican club Tigres UANL on a free transfer. He was immediately loaned out to Club Universidad de Chile.
Toluca On 12 December 2019, Fernández joined Deportivo Toluca on a season-long loan. Despite his stellar form, head coach Ricardo Ferretti relegated him to a supporting role upon rejoining Tigres UANL. On 19 December 2021, Fernández joined Toluca on permanent basis.
Loan to Fluminense On 4 July 2023, Fernández joined Fluminense on a one-year loan. The loan was terminated early after the player failed to make an impact at the club.
Peñarol On 17 January 2024, Fernández joined Peñarol on a one-year loan. He finished the season as the league's top scorer with 16 goals. On 5 January 2025, Peñarol reached an agreement to sign Fernández for a reported fee of US$7 million, a record for Uruguayan football.
International career As a youth international, Fernández has represented Uruguay at the 2015 South American U-17 Championship and the 2019 Pan American Games.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFénix2014–15Uruguayan Primera División10———102015–16120———120201680—1Appearance in Copa Sudamericana.0—902017202———20220183411———341120191512———1512Total90250010009125Tigres UANL2020–21Liga MX221—3Appearances in CONCACAF Champions League.1002522021–22130——1Appearances in Leagues Cup.0140Total251003110392Universidad de Chile (loan)2019Chilean Primera División7120——91Toluca (loan)2019–20Liga MX10840——148Toluca2021–22Liga MX157———1572022–233910———3910Total54170000005417Fluminense (loan)2023Série A1710010—181Career total2035360511021463
Honours Tigres UANL CONCACAF Champions League: 2020 FIFA Club World Cup runner-up: 2020
Fluminense Copa Libertadores: 2023
Peñarol Uruguayan Primera División: 2024 Copa Uruguay: 2025
Individual Uruguayan Primera División player of the season: 2024 Uruguayan Primera División young player of the season: 2018 Uruguayan Primera División team of the season: 2018, 2024 Uruguayan Primera División top scorer: 2024 Liga MX player of the month: January 2020
References
External links