Deportivo La Coruña open talks to renew Fabril centre-back Samu Fernández

Deportivo La Coruña are already working to secure one of the brightest talents in their academy. The Galician club have opened negotiations to extend the contract of Samu Fernández Leonardo, a Fabril centre-back born in Narón in 2007 and widely regarded as the most promising defender to come through the club's youth system in years. His current deal expires in June 2027, but both parties are open to a new agreement with better terms and an even longer timeframe.

• Samu Fernández, 18, is the standout defensive prospect in Deportivo's academy and a key player for Fabril in Primera RFEF.
• The club holds an option to extend his contract for two more seasons if certain conditions are met, but talks are focused on a broader deal.
• He has already made his first-team debut in LaLiga against Las Palmas and featured in the Copa del Rey.
• The arrivals of José María Giménez and Bright Ede, plus Arnau Comas and Dani Barcia, block his path to the first team for now.
• At Fabril he leads a back line hit by injuries to Damián Canedo and Manu Serrano.

Samu, the centre-back Deportivo want to keep beyond 2027

Samu Fernández Leonardo is in his first season as a senior player after standing out in the club's youth ranks. His progress has not gone unnoticed by the first-team coaching staff: he has spent three consecutive summers in pre-season with the senior squad, and over the past two campaigns Antonio Hidalgo has publicly praised him on several occasions.

The club does not want to wait until the final stretch of his contract to act. Although the current deal includes a unilateral two-year extension option linked to certain objectives, Deportivo and the player agree that the smartest move is to build a longer relationship, one that reflects the role the defender could play in the club's sporting structure.

From a LaLiga debut to leading Fabril's defence

Samu already knows what it feels like to wear the first-team shirt in an official match. Last season he made his LaLiga debut on the final matchday against Las Palmas, having previously gained minutes in the Copa del Rey. Those appearances were brief, but meaningful for a player still young enough to feature in youth-team squads.

This season his role is centred on Fabril, the reserve team competing in Primera RFEF. The back line has been hit hard by injuries: Damián Canedo and Manu Serrano are sidelined, leaving Samu as the defensive reference alongside Ferran Seco and David Vergara. It is a major responsibility for a player who has not yet turned 19.

First-team competition blocks his path for now

A permanent step up to the first team will have to wait. Deportivo, freshly promoted to LaLiga, strengthened the heart of their defence in the winter window with the signing of José María Giménez, and also have Bright Ede, Arnau Comas and Dani Barcia for that position. That depth currently keeps Samu out of Hidalgo's regular plans.

The competition does not reduce the club's interest in keeping him. Quite the opposite: accepting that the young defender must continue developing at Fabril does not stop him being seen as a strategic bet for the medium term. The renewal under negotiation is designed precisely to align that potential with the needs of a Deportivo side aiming to establish itself in the top flight.

Other academy players on Deportivo's radar

Samu is not the only Fabril player Deportivo are monitoring closely. The club renewed Noé Carrillo and Manu Ferreiro in recent months, and is paying special attention to talents such as Dipanda, Mauro Valeiro and Xabi Campos. The latter spent the entire summer with the first team before the arrival of Angeliño, despite still being eligible for youth football.

There is also a group of under-23 players who are essential for Fabril but face a difficult path to the first team. Rubén López, Martín Ochoa, Adrián Guerrero, Kevin Sánchez and Dani Estévez are among those in that situation. The sporting department assesses each case individually, but Samu's profile is a priority because of his position and room for growth.

What this renewal means for Deportivo's project

Tying Samu down to a longer contract would be a coherent move within the academy-focused policy Deportivo have promoted in recent years. Promotion to LaLiga has raised the bar and forced the club to sign proven players, but the board does not want to neglect the talent developed at Abegondo. The young centre-back from Narón is the clearest example that the reserve team can keep feeding the senior squad.

If the agreement is closed on the terms being discussed, Samu would have one of the longest contracts among the club's homegrown youngsters. That would send a clear message: Deportivo are committed to their academy and will not allow their best prospects to leave for free or at a cut price.