Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes (born 10 July 2004) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club West Ham United and the Portugal national team.
Fernandes is a youth product of his local club Olhanense, and moved to Sporting CP's youth academy in 2016. He was promoted to their B-team for the 2021âÂÂ22 season. On 14 October 2022, Fernandes signed a professional contract with the club tying him until 2027 with a release clause of â¬60 million. He made his professional and senior debut with Sporting as a late substitute in a 3âÂÂ1 Primeira Liga win over Casa Pia on 22 October 2022.
On 29 August 2023, Primeira Liga club Estoril announced the signing of Fernandes on a season-long loan from Sporting.
On 20 August 2024, Fernandes joined Southampton on a five-year contract. He made his debut for the club on 24 August 2024 in a 1âÂÂ0 home defeat against Nottingham Forest after he replaced Taylor Harwood-Bellis in the 76th minute. On 28 August 2024, Fernandes scored his first goal for the club in a 5âÂÂ3 away victory against Cardiff City in the EFL Cup.
On 29 August 2025, Fernandes joined West Ham United on a five-year contract, for a fee reported to be âÂÂmore than ã40mâÂÂ. He became the club's third-biggest signing, behind the ã45m paid for Sebastien Haller and the ã51m paid for Lucas Paquetá.
On 14 December, he scored against Aston Villa after 29 seconds, making it the fastest Premier League goal of the season. The game ended 3âÂÂ2 to Villa.
Fernandes is a youth international for Portugal, having played up to the Portugal U21s.