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Paolo Fernandes Seeks Turkish Revival: Alanyaspor Loan Move Explained
The Spanish attacker arrives at GAIN Park Stadium on a season-long loan from AEK Athens, looking to rebuild momentum after a fragmented campaign in Saudi Arabia.
Paolo Fernandes is heading to the Turkish Süper Lig in a bid to arrest a worrying slide in his career trajectory. The 27-year-old Spanish attacker has completed a loan move to Alanyaspor from AEK Athens FC, arriving at the GAIN Park Stadium on 2026-08-23 without an option or obligation to buy disclosed in the initial agreement.
At a glance
- Player: Paolo Fernandes (27, Spain, Attacker)
- Move: Loan from AEK Athens FC to Alanyaspor
- Date: 2026-08-23
Career context
Fernandes’ journey has been one of immense technical promise punctuated by frequent relocations. Borne in Zaragoza, he emerged from the Manchester City academy system, spending early development years in the Premier League 2 (runner-up in 2016/2017) before embarking on a nomadic European path. Loans to NAC Breda in the Netherlands and Perugia in Italy showcased his adaptability, but persistent knee and groin injuries between 2017 and 2019 threatened to derail his progress.
His move to Greece in 2022 marked his most stable period. Joining Volos NFC initially on loan before a permanent €1M transfer, he eventually linked up with AEK Athens FC. At AEK, he captured major silverware, winning the Super League 1 and the Greek Cup in the 2022/2023 campaign, alongside a runners-up medal the following season. However, the 2025/26 season saw him loaned out to Al Khaleej Saihat in the Saudi Pro League, where he was utilized as a rotational midfielder/attacker, returning to AEK in June 2026 before being immediately dispatched to Turkey.
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
How he fits at his new club
At Alanyaspor, Fernandes arrives to fill a creative void in the final third. Standing at 167 cm, his low center of gravity, elite close-control rating (Technique: 83), and high dribble success rate (43% conversion, winning 42 of 98 attempts last season) make him an ideal fit for a side that relies on quick transitions and narrow build-up play. Alanyaspor typically operates a fluid 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, demanding wide attackers and attacking midfielders who can drop into half-spaces, receive under pressure, and execute rapid one-twos. Fernandes’ 80% pass accuracy and 24 key passes last season suggest he can serve as a reliable link-up option, while his high volume of 42 fouls drawn indicates a strong ability to draw defensive contact and win free-kicks in dangerous areas.
Recent numbers
Fernandes' 2025/26 season in the Saudi Pro League with Al Khaleej Saihat yielded mixed statistical returns across 41 total appearances (28 starts, 6 bench appearances, 13 substitute-ins), logging 2,060 minutes. He contributed 5 goals and 3 assists, averaging a modest 6.76 overall rating. His underlying metrics showed a player heavily involved in physical duels, winning 135 out of 295 duels (46%), while recording 44 tackles and 10 interceptions—highlighting his dual-threat capability as a high-pressing attacker.
In the King's Cup, he featured in 13 appearances (6 starts), scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist in 288 minutes, posting a 6.63 rating. His final two matches of the Saudi campaign offered a microcosm of his struggles: a 5.9 rating in a 4-1 loss to Al-Ahli Jeddah (where he managed only 1 shot and 17% pass accuracy over 90 minutes), followed by a 6.2 rating in a 3-1 loss to Al Okhdood, where he was subbed off in the 69th minute after failing to register a key pass.
Key takeaways
- Tactical Versatility: Capable of playing across the front three or as an attacking midfielder, bringing high technical attributes (83 Technique) to Alanyaspor’s offensive transitions.
- Defensive Work Rate: Averaged 44 tackles and 10 interceptions in the Saudi Pro League, fitting the high-pressing demands of the Turkish Süper Lig.
- Creative Output: Contributed 5 goals and 3 assists in 2025/26, but will need to elevate his 6.76 rating and shot-conversion efficiency to justify a starting role in Antalya.
- Injury History: Historically prone to knee and groin setbacks (2017–2019); his long-term loan success depends heavily on maintaining his current injury-free status.