Federico Javier Santander Mereles (born 4 June 1991) is a Paraguayan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Uruguayan club Nacional and the Paraguay national team.

Club career

Early career

Santander started in the youth divisions of Guaraní where he excelled and was part of the under-20 squad that won the international friendly championship held in Valencia, Spain. After winning the U20 tournament with Guaraní he attracted the interest of several clubs and had a trial with A.C. Milan. In 2008, at the age of 16, he made his debut with the senior squad of Guaraní by scoring a goal in the 5–2 win against Tacuary. On 31 August 2010, he signed for French side Toulouse.

Argentina: Racing and Tigre

In February 2012, he moved to Racing Club on a three-year contract with a purchase option for 20% of his sports rights.

In July 2012, Santander joined Argentine Primera División side Tigre on a one-year loan deal despite that Guaraní had intentions to bring him back to Paraguay. He was handed the number #24 shirt for the 2012–13 season and debuted in a 2–1 home defeat against Estudiantes de La Plata on 6 August 2012.

Copenhagen

On 14 June 2015, Santander signed a five-year contract with the Danish Superliga team F.C. Copenhagen. He joined the club after completing Copa Libertadores with Guaraní. He made his league debut on 2 August 2015 against SønderjyskE making two assist, assisting Thomas Delaney and William Kvist. Three days later, he scored his first goal in a 3–2 defeat against FK Jablonec as Copenhagen failed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stage. On 16 May 2016, he netted twice to give his club a 2–0 win against FC Nordsjælland which crowned Copenhagen league champions. In his first season in Copenhagen he became the third highest goalscorer with 14 goals and four assists.

On 24 August 2016, Santander's goal in Copenhagen's qualification match versus Cypriot club APOEL secured his club's position in the 2016–17 Champions League.

Bologna

In June 2018 Santander signed a four-year contract with Italian club Bologna in a deal worth €6 million.

Reggina

On 2 August 2022, Santander moved to Reggina on a multi-year contract.

Return to Guaraní

On 27 January 2023, Santander returned to Guaraní on loan until 30 June 2023.

International career

On 28 September 2009, at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, Santander scored the first goal for the Paraguay U-20 squad against home team Egypt, giving the Paraguayans a 1–0 lead.

Wearing the number 9 as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, he debuted for Paraguay on 9 October 2010 in a 1–0 loss against Australia in Sydney.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 10 June 2023

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Guaraní2009Paraguayan Primera División–1010
201030––30
20112210––2210
201212––12
Total2612–102712
Toulouse (loan)2010–11Ligue 123520–255
Racing2011–12Argentine Primera División15030–180
Tigre2011–12Argentine Primera División00005151
2012–131810061242
Total18100112293
Guaraní2013Paraguayan Primera División1650042207
2014221100202411
2015175001262911
Total5521001887329
Copenhagen2015–16Danish Superliga301442213617
2016–172812311344417
2017–18241200823214
Total82387323711248
Bologna2018–19Serie A32820–348
2019–2024110–51
2020–214010–50
2021–227100–71
Total671040–7110
Guaraní (loan)2023Paraguayan Primera División1330065198
Career total299901635922374115

International

Scores and results list Paraguay's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Santander goal.

List of international goals scored by Federico Santander
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
14 June 2011Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, BoliviaBolivia2–02–0Friendly
220 November 2018Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South AfricaSouth Africa1–01–1Friendly

Honours

Copenhagen

External links

  • at National-Football-Teams.com
  • at BDFA (in Spanish)