Federico Fernandez is now onto his second club after leaving Newcastle United during the summer.
The defender was let go by Eddie Howe and allowed to join Elche on transfer deadline day at the start of the season.
He secured a permanent move to the La Liga side, with Newcastle reportedly subsidising a portion of his wages. It was a necessary evil to move players on, and something the club have had to do with various people who have left St James’ Park in recent months.
It looked like a harmonious exit for the Argentine, but it quickly proved to be a disaster.
After enduring a miserable debut in an Elche shirt, the veteran centre-back was told to find a new club. A report in late November stated that the Spanish side would be getting rid of Fernandez, just months after signing him.
The 33-year-old’s post-Newcastle career was turning out to be a nightmare, but now Fernandez has a new employer.
Federico Fernandez signs for Al-Duhail
After having his Elche contract torn up, Fernandez has now got himself a new club. He has signed for Qatari side Al-Duhail.
They are managed by ex-AC Milan and Chelsea striker Hernan Crespo, and their squad includes former English football regular Adlene Guedioura.
Fernandez joins midway through the Qatar Stars League season, with his new club sitting top of the table after 12 games. It is a stark contrast to what he experienced at Elche, who were battling relegation in Spain’s top flight.
Interestingly, the other player that Elche got rid of alongside Fernandez, Javier Pastore, has also moved to Qatar. He is now playing for Qatar SC in the same division.
As Fernandez takes his career to the Middle East, it ends a spell of more than 10 years playing in Europe.
He was a brilliant player for Newcastle, and still contributed last season despite limited minutes. Interestingly, he captained the Magpies in the final game of the Mike Ashley era.
Signed from Swansea for £6million by Rafa Benitez, we more than got our money’s worth with Fernandez, and it is good to see that he has found a new home after the Elche embarrassment.