La Liga, Premier League, Wembley joy and more to come at Leeds United - Pablo Hernandez's glittering career
and live on Freeview channel 276
Born in the province of Castellon, Hernandez made his way into the Valencia youth system and initially as a striker after starting out with AVV Rafalafena and CD Castellon.
Following a loan spell at CD Onda, the Spaniard made his Valencia debut in the final game of the 2005-06 campaign against Osasuna.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdA further loan to Cadiz followed before a 22-year-old Hernandez moved to Getafe in July 2007 as part of the deal to bring Alexis to Valencia.
But after excelling for Getafe under Michael Laudrup, Hernandez moved back to Valencia the following summer and signed a six-year deal.
Four seasons at the Mestalla followed with Hernandez making 157 appearances and netting 25 goals including strikes against Barcelona and Manchester United - the latter in the Champions League.
Hernandez also bagged four caps and one goal for Spain before a move to English football in August 2012.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdFollowing the appointment of Laudrup, Swansea City came calling, signing the Spaniard for a club record £5.55 million on a three-year deal.
Hernandez’s first season featured 36 appearances, three goals and silverware in the form of the Capital One Cup.
Another 35 appearances followed in 2013-14 which finished under the stewardship of Garry Monk who replaced the sacked Laudrup.
For Hernandez, a new challenge then awaited as he joined Qatari club Al-Arabi in July.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdBut Monk and Hernandez would be reunited at Leeds two years later with the Spaniard moving back to England to join Leeds under new head coach Monk in August 2016, signing initially on loan after spells away from Al-Arabi with Al-Nasr and Rayo Vallecano.
One hundred and fifty appearances and 33 goals for Leeds have followed and Hernandez believes he is still improving as his 35th birthday nears under head coach Marcelo Bielsa.
After signing a new deal in November, the Spaniard is contracted at the Whites until the summer of 2022.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.