Fabrice Fernandes

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fabrice Fernandes (born October 29, 1979 in Aubervilliers) is a French footballer who is currently without a club, having left Beitar Jerusalem in the early part of 2007

He first joined an English team in 2000, after signing a season-long loan deal at Fulham. He played for the Under-21 French national team, impressing the likes of Rangers in the process, for whom he joined on loan in March 2001, scoring on his debut for the club, from 35 yards out against Motherwell F.C..

Come Christmas 2001, he moved to Southampton, making his debut in a defeat to Leeds United, and played in many games during the season, despite sometimes being hit with injury. He picked up an FA Cup runners-up medal in season 2002-03, and had a solid 2003/04, at the end of which he was offered a new contract to run to 2006.

However, after Southampton were relegated to the Championship under manager Harry Redknapp at the end of the 2004-05 season, Fernandes negotiated for release from his contract. The Saints needed to reduce their payroll and engaged the services of agent Willie McKay to find a new club for him. Allegedly, McKay was paid a fee of £30,000 by Southampton for his services. This transfer is amongst those being scrutinised by the Stevens enquiry into corruption in English football. [1]

Sam Allardyce snapped him up for free at the end of August 2005 and he made his debut for the Trotters in their first ever UEFA Cup game against Lokomotiv Plovdiv at the Reebok Stadium.

In February 2006 Fernandes moved to play in Israel for Beitar Jerusalem, the club owned by Arcadi Gaydamak, the father of Portsmouth owner Alexandre Gaydamak. After leaving the Jerusalem club in February 2007 he has had trial spells with Stoke City and Dunfermline Athletic but needs to sort out some personal issues in England before a decision can be made.

Since January 2007 is playing for Dinamo Bucuresti (Romania).