Federico Santander
Federico Javier Santander Mereles is a Paraguayan footballer who plays as a forward for Italian club Bologna and the Paraguay national football team.
Santander ranked number 3 in a list of the most expensive players in Paraguayan football for 2015 published by Diario Extra.
Club career
Guaraní, Toulouse, Racing Club, and Tigre
Santander started in the youth divisions of Guaraní where he excelled and was part of the under-20 squad that won the international friendly championship held in Valencia, Spain. After winning the U20 tournament with Guaraní he attracted the interest of several clubs and had a trial with A.C. Milan. In 2008, at the age of 16, he made his debut with the senior squad of Guaraní by scoring a goal in the 5–2 win against Tacuary. On 31 August 2010, he signed to the French Toulouse.In February 2012, he moved to Racing Club on a three-year contract with a purchase option for 20% of his sports rights.
In July 2012, Santander joined Argentine Primera División side Tigre on a one-year loan deal despite that Guaraní had intentions to bring him back to Paraguay. He was handed the number #24 shirt for the 2012–13 season and debuted in a 2–1 home defeat against Estudiantes de La Plata on 6 August 2012.
Copenhagen
On 14 June 2015, Santander signed a five-year contract with the Danish Superliga team F.C. Copenhagen. He joined the club after completing Copa Libertadores with Guaraní. He made his league debut on 2 August 2015 against SønderjyskE making two assist, assisting Thomas Delaney and William Kvist. Three days later, he scored his first goal in a 2–3 defeat against FK Jablonec as Copenhagen failed to qualify for the UEFA Europa League group stage. On 16 May 2016, he netted twice to give his club a 2–0 win against Nordsjaelland which crowned Copenhagen league champions. In his first season in Copenhagen he became the third highest goalscorer with 14 goals and 4 assists.On 24 August 2016, Santander's goal in Copenhagen's qualification match versus Cypriot club APOEL secured his club's position in the 2016–17 Champions League.
Bologna F.C. 1909
In June 2018 Santander signed a 4 years contract with Italian club Bologna in a deal worth €6m.International career
On 28 September 2009, at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, Santander scored the first goal for the Paraguay U-20 squad against home team Egypt, giving the Paraguayans a 1–0 lead.Wearing the number 9 as a replacement for Roque Santa Cruz, he debuted for Paraguay on 9 October 2010 in a 1–0 loss against Australia in Sydney.
Career statistics
Club
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 4 June 2011 | Estadio Ramón Tahuichi Aguilera, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia | 2–0 | 2–0 | Friendly | |
| 2. | 20 November 2018 | Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, South Africa | 1–0 | 1–1 | Friendly |