Fernando Fonseca


Fernando Manuel Ferreira Fonseca is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a right-back for Liga Portugal 2 club Leixões.

Club career

Porto

Born in Porto, Fonseca joined FC Porto's youth system in 2009, from neighbours Boavista FC. While at the service of the former's under-19 squad he won two consecutive national championships, under the guidance of former club player António Folha; his contribution was praised by the media, who described an enormous work capacity on the right flank and aggressiveness in ball disputes.
In the beginning of the 2016–17 season, Fonseca was promoted to the reserves by Luís Castro. His senior debut arrived on 24 August 2016, in a 2–1 home win against S.C. Olhanense in the Segunda Liga where he played the full 90 minutes. The following month he signed a contract extension until 2020, although no values of the termination clause were disclosed.
Fonseca played his first match in the Primeira Liga on 6 May 2017, profiting from the absence of the suspended Maxi Pereira and featuring the entire 1–1 away draw with C.S. Marítimo. For the following campaign, he was loaned to fellow top-division team G.D. Estoril Praia.

Gil Vicente

On 30 August 2019, Fonseca ended his decade-long link to Porto by signing for Gil Vicente F.C. as a replacement for Kellyton. He made his debut two weeks later, in a 2–0 loss at S.L. Benfica.
On 8 March 2020, Fonseca suffered a serious left ankle injury against C.D. Santa Clara, and had to wait for surgery due to the COVID-19 pandemic that had also postponed the top-flight season.

Paços Ferreira

Fonseca joined F.C. Paços de Ferreira on a three-year contract in September 2020. On 15 February 2023, he left by mutual consent.

AVS

On 8 July 2023, Fonseca agreed to a two-year deal with recently founded second-tier AVS Futebol SAD. When it expired, with the club by then in the main division, he left after failing to agree new terms.

Leixões

On 31 January 2026, after spending six months as a free agent, Fonseca joined Liga Portugal 2 club Leixões.

International career

Aged 19, Fonseca was selected by manager Rui Jorge for his 2016 Summer Olympics squad due to Fábio Sturgeon's injury. He was first-choice during the competition in Brazil, in an eventual quarter-final exit.
Fonseca earned his first cap for the under-21 side on 2 September 2016, in a 0–0 home draw against Israel in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers.