Born in
Santander,
Cantabria, Fernández was a product of hometown club
Racing de Santander's youth academy, and he made his first-team debut on 7 January 2007 in a 2–0 away loss against
Levante UD.[2] During
that season he appeared in a further ten
La Liga games, scoring his first goal in a 5–4 home defeat of
Athletic Bilbao three months later.[3]
Fernández had a breakthrough year in
2009–10, playing 29 league matches for Racing and scoring twice, including in a 3–1 win at
CA Osasuna on 21 March 2010[9] as they eventually avoided relegation. After
S.L. Benfica decided to recall
László Sepsi from his loan[10] he had virtually no competitor for his position, and helped his team to
the semi-finals of the
Copa del Rey, notably netting in a 3–2 away victory over
AD Alcorcón (which had previously ousted
Real Madrid), also the final aggregate score.[11]
After the arrival of
Domingo Cisma, Fernández's playing time became more limited, but he still totalled 38 appearances in his last two seasons (as either a left or
centre-back),[12] scoring four goals. Santander suffered relegation in
2012 and, on 9 July of that year, he signed a two-year contract with
UD Almería of the second division.[13]
On 29 December 2013, after being first choice in the
Andalusians'
return to the top flight but only a reserve subsequently, Fernández was released.[14] On 7 February of the following year, aged 28, he moved abroad for the first time in his career, signing with
Major League Soccer's
D.C. United.[15]
Fernández returned to his country on 6 July 2014, joining former club Las Palmas for three years.[16] On 6 August 2015, he was loaned to fellow division two team
SD Huesca for one year.[17]
On 7 July 2016, Fernández signed a two-year deal with
Real Oviedo in the second tier.[18] He never played less than 31 matches in his first five seasons at the
Estadio Carlos Tartiere,[19][20] but only made four competitive appearances in
2021–22.[21][22]
^Ferrero, Txabi (3 December 2013).
"Christian paga caro el ascenso" [Christian pays dearly for promotion]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 March 2023.