Panathinaikos FC announces the loan signing, with an option to purchase, of Xavi Hernández from Spanish side Leganés. The Spanish defender is the club’s seventh winter transfer addition.
Xavi Hernández was born on May 2, 1998, in Cádiz, Spain. He began his career at a young age in Sevilla’s academy, and at the age of 16 he joined Real Madrid’s youth system, where he remained until he was 19. He was then loaned to El Ejido, a local division side.
One year later, he was again sent out on loan, this time to Real Oviedo, playing in the second tier of Spanish football. During the 2019–20 season, he returned to Real Madrid, competing with the club’s second team.
At the age of 22, he was signed by Leganés, who were then playing in Spain’s second division. In his first two seasons, he earned a regular starting spot and took a major step forward into La Liga with a loan move to Girona.
In 2023, he was loaned to Cádiz, again in the top division, until Leganés brought him back into their squad in 2024, now competing in La Liga. In the summer of 2025, Hernández changed continents, joining Al Arabi of Qatar on loan.
At Panathinaikos, he will wear shirt number 26.
We welcome Xavi to the Panathinaikos family!
