Nicolás Ezequiel Fernández Mercau

Nicolás Fernández Mercau moved to New York City FC in 2025 in a deal worth around 10 million dollars. He arrived as a Designated Player, becoming the first player to hold that status at the club in two years.

Fernández Mercau came through the ranks at San Lorenzo, making his first-team debut in 2021. Over 50 appearances for the Buenos Aires club he scored twice and added three assists before a move to Spain opened up.

In September 2022, Elche paid roughly 4 million dollars to sign him. He became a regular in the Segunda División, and his form there, six goals and eight assists across 79 appearances, played a part in the club's promotion back to La Liga.

The switch to Elche was not without friction at San Lorenzo. It nonetheless set up the move that eventually took him across the Atlantic.

At New York City FC, wearing the number 7 shirt, he was named Etihad Player of the Month for October 2026, a recognition of his early impact in Major League Soccer.

On the international stage, his path with Argentina remains unsettled. He appeared on a preliminary list of 45 players called up by Lionel Scaloni for World Cup qualifying, and has also trained with an alternative squad under Diego Colantono, though it is not confirmed how many official matches, if any, he has played for the senior national team.