Everton Seal Permanent Deal For Young Player Of The Season

Everton have brought Martina Fernandez back to the Club on a permanent deal from Spanish giants Barcelona for an undisclosed fee. The 20-year-old defender returns to the Blues after a hugely-impressive loan campaign in 2025, when the Spain Under-23s international was named Everton’s Young Player of the Season. Fernandez missed the opportunity to play at Goodison Park last term, having joined the Club in January after Brian Sorensen’s side claimed the Merseyside derby bragging rights with a 1-0 victory on home soil six weeks earlier. Now making her move to Merseyside a permanent one, the highly-rated talent outlined the chance to play at the iconic stadium on a regular basis was one of her key reasons for wanting to come back to the Blues. “I'm so happy,” Fernandez told evertontv. “The past five months were amazing because of everyone: the girls, the fans – everyone. So I couldn't say no at the chance to come back. “I can't wait, honestly. This big, historical stadium – I will really enjoy playing in it. “I think playing at Goodison Park is not just good for us, it is good for women’s football in general for us to start playing here and having this as our own stadium.” The centre-back was voted the Club’s Young Player of the Season by manager Sorensen and his coaching staff. Now back playing under the Dane, who is known for his success in developing young talent, the Ordis-born defender reviewed the time she spent on loan in L4 and the impact Sorensen had on her progress. “He is a really smart coach,” explained Fernandez. “He wants us to be in the perfect position as players because if we are in a perfect position, we do not have to race back. “He wants the ball, but he wants to be smart and effective with it. I think he is so clever and has a deep understanding of the game. I believe in him and Stephen [Neligan]. I believe in the project. I think we are a good match.” Fernandez becomes the seventh signing of the summer for the Women’s team, joining compatriots Ornella Vignola and Inma Gabarro, who she has played alongside at international level. “It is so nice because I am good friends with both and we know a lot about each other on and off the pitch,” added Fernandez. “I am so excited to start playing with them. To have Inma come back [from injury] and Ornella in blue, we will have some fun. “The girls in this team are so nice. The people in the city of Liverpool are amazing, I love the culture. It was so easy for me to feel at home here. “I have a lot of friends here and I think that was so important because I truly feel at home.” Sorensen expressed the importance of bringing back Fernandez, who impressed him from the moment she initially joined from Barcelona. He said: “Signing Martina on a permanent deal was one of our priorities this summer so we are delighted to have her back at Everton. "As she showed last season, Martina is a brilliant player and also a great person. Despite her young age, she is a real leader and I admire the way she plays football and wants to improve. “She is aggressive and strong, yet has a calmness to her passing and decision-making. I am so pleased she is back home and believe she will help the new signings settle in at the Club. “Martina showed her capabilities last season and deservedly claimed our Young Player of the Year Award. I am excited to see what she can achieve this season and to watch her grow."