Roberto Fernández Jaén

Roberto Fernández Jaén grew up in the youth ranks of Puente Genil FC before moves to Córdoba CF and Sevilla FC, then a return to Córdoba, and finally a switch to Málaga CF in 2018. He made his senior debut for Málaga on 16 August 2021 and went on to make 66 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals. A loan spell at FC Barcelona B in the 2022–2023 season added a further 34 appearances and six goals to that record.

In July 2024, Fernández moved to SC Braga for a fee that could rise to €3 million with add-ons, with Málaga keeping a 10% sell-on clause. His time in Portugal was brief: 15 appearances and two goals before a January 2025 loan took him to RCD Espanyol. The loan worked out well enough that Espanyol made the move permanent, signing him to a six-year contract in June 2025 and acquiring half of his economic rights. Wearing the number 9 shirt, he has scored seven goals in 38 appearances for the Catalan club, and his form in the 2025–2026 La Liga season was enough to earn him the Zarra Trophy as the competition's top Spanish scorer.

His performances have not gone unnoticed at international level. Fernández has represented Spain's under-21 side, scoring against Malta and Romania during UEFA U21 European Championship qualifying, for two goals in five caps. In September 2026, Luis de la Fuente handed him his first call-up to the senior national team for the UEFA Nations League, with his debut lined up against England at Wembley.