# Dani Hernández

Daniel 'Dani' Hernández Santos (born 21 October 1985) is a Venezuelan retired professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

## Club career
### Early career

Born in Caracas, Hernández played Spanish lower league and amateur football until the age of 25, competing mainly in the Community of Madrid. During that time, he represented CF Rayo Majadahonda, CD Guadalajara, CU Collado Villalba, Real Madrid C, Rayo Vallecano B, Real Jaén, Valencia CF Mestalla and Real Murcia CF, delivering a Player of the match performance on 26 October 2010 in a 0–0 home draw against Real Madrid in the round of 32 of Copa del Rey (5–1 aggregate loss). Additionally, he represented SD Huesca in the Segunda División in the first part of the 2009–10 campaign, but his input consisted of two domestic cup appearances.

### Valladolid

On 19 August 2011, Hernández signed a 1+2 contract with Real Valladolid in division two. He spent the vast majority of his first year as understudy to Jaime but, due to injury to his teammate, excelled in the promotion playoffs as the team returned to La Liga after a two-year absence, conceding only once in four appearances and three starts.
Hernández continued to be first choice in the 2012–13 season, helping the Castile and León side retain their league status after ranking in 14th position. After a one-year loan in the Super League Greece with Asteras Tripolis FC, he acted as backup to Javi Varas.

### Tenerife

On 15 January 2015, free agent Hernández joined second-tier CD Tenerife on a short-term deal. In May 2018, he became the club's third goalkeeper with the most matches in Spanish competitions, at 138.
Hernández subsequently played second-fiddle to Juan Soriano.

### Fuenlabrada

On 14 July 2022, the 36-year-old Hernández signed a two-year contract with CF Fuenlabrada, recently relegated to the Primera Federación.

## International career

Hernández made his debut for Venezuela on 7 September 2010, in a 1–0 friendly win with Ecuador. As a backup, he was part of the squad that appeared at the 2011 Copa América in Argentina.

## Personal life

Hernández's older brother, Jonay, was also a footballer. A defender, he too spent most of his professional career in Spain, also appearing for the Venezuela national team.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 16 May 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Europe | Europe | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Rayo Majadahonda | 2003–04 | Segunda División B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2007–08 | Segunda División B | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaén | 2008–09 | Segunda División B | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 6 | 0 | 44 | 0 |
| Huesca (loan) | 2009–10 | Segunda División | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Valencia B (loan) | 2009–10 | Segunda División B | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 |
| Murcia | 2010–11 | Segunda División B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Valladolid | 2011–12 | Segunda División | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Valladolid | 2012–13 | La Liga | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Valladolid | 2014–15 | Segunda División | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Valladolid | Total | Total | 29 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| Asteras Tripolis (loan) | 2013–14 | Super League Greece | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2014–15 | Segunda División | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2015–16 | Segunda División | 39 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 39 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2016–17 | Segunda División | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 4 | 0 | 42 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2017–18 | Segunda División | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 38 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2018–19 | Segunda División | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 40 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2019–20 | Segunda División | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Tenerife | 2020–21 | Segunda División | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| Tenerife | Total | Total | 206 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 213 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 308 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 342 | 0 |
* ↑ Appearances in 2009 Segunda División B play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in 2012 Segunda División play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in Super League Greece play-offs
* ↑ Appearances in 2016 Segunda División play-offs

### International

Appearances and goals by national team and year :
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| Venezuela | 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2012 | 5 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2013 | 7 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2014 | 4 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2015 | 1 | 0 |
| Venezuela | 2016 | 11 | 0 |
| Total | Total | 31 | 0 |