Federico Fazio came to Spurs as a Europa League winner and club captain of Sevilla, where he spent seven years, ending up as the La Liga side's captain.
A
strapping 6' 5" tall, he wass dominant in the air and
aggressive on the floor, with his height an asset at
both ends of the pitch when he was with Sevilla, buyt
unfortunately, he never looked at home in the Premier
League.
The defender was only 18 years old when he was handed
his professional debut for Argentine second division
side Ferro Carril Oeste in 2005, while he was studying
medicine for 18 months before deciding on football as
his future career.
His impressive performances for his club and for his country in the 2007 World Under-20 Cup saw him move to Spanish side Sevilla for around £600,000 and Federico started with their second team, Sevilla Atletico to ease him into his new surroundings. In his first season, the side won promotion to the Spanish Second division and in August 2007, Federico made his first appearance in the senior side, being handed a start in the Spanish Supercup against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu stadium. Sevilla won the two legged affair 6-3 and Rico had his first senior silverware.
At the same time, he was
starring in the Argentina Under-18 side that won the
World Cup for that age group and in 2008 they went on to
take the Olympic title. He went on to make the
senior team, but won few caps with a lot of competition
for places in the Argentine defence.
Fazio went on to become a stalwart of the Sevilla side
and captain the team to the Spanish Cup and the Europa
League in his seven years with Sevilla, but his move to
White Hart Lane rankled with the club chairman, who
subsequently banned him from the stadium for life.
Eighteen months with the Spurs first team saw him sent
off twice and only played 31 times in all competitions.
His lack of awareness and pace cost him his place at the
club, with teams picking him out as the weak link in the
Tottenham back four, Decent enough in the air, it
was a surprise that he was so unable to cope with the
different style of football in England and despite his
former President's ban, he returned to Sevilla on loan
in January 2016 until the end of the season, where he
was sent off in his first match. However, he did
pick up another Europa League winners medal with his
former club.
Returning to London and ousted by the arrival of Toby Alderweireld, Federico was touted around Europe on loan and he went on a season long loan to AS Roma; a move which was made permanent as part of the loan deal in July 2017. His style suited the Italian league and he did well for the Giallorossi and featured in their Champions League matches, as well as being a regular in Serie A.