Fornals' first competitive match with the first team – and in La Liga – occurred on 26 September 2015, when he started in a 0–0 away draw against Real Madrid.[6] Two months and two days later, he scored his first top-flight goal in a 2–2 draw with Andalusian neighbours Granada at La Rosaleda Stadium, finding the net four minutes after replacing Duda.[7]
On 4 December 2016, Fornals scored a brace in a 2–2 draw at Valencia.[8]
Villarreal
On 24 July 2017, having paid his own €12 million buyout clause to leave Málaga,[9] Fornals moved to fellow top-division side Villarreal, a club he already represented as a youth, agreeing to a five-year contract.[10] The following 13 January, he scored a late chip after a counterattack to give his new team their first-ever win against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (1–0).[11]
On 26 September 2018, Fornals opened the scoring in a league fixture away to Athletic Bilbao with a dipping volley from 50 yards, in an eventual 3–0 victory.[12][13]
West Ham United
On 14 June 2019, Fornals signed for West Ham United on a five-year contract for a transfer fee reported to be £24 million, making him the English club's second most expensive signing.[14][15] He made his Premier League debut on 10 August, in a 5–0 home defeat by Manchester City coming on as a half-time substitute for Michail Antonio.[16] He scored his first goal for his new team on 27 August, in a 2–0 victory over Newport County in the second round of the EFL Cup.[17]
In 2020–21, Fornals made 33 league appearances and scored five times as West Ham qualified for the UEFA Europa League for the first time in five years.[18] The following season he featured in all twelve of his side's Europa League games as they reached the semi-finals,[19] providing two assists in the 3–0 win at Olympique Lyonnais in the last-eight.[20]
Fornals struggled for consistent game time in the 2022–23 campaign. However, on 23 April 2023, his scorpion kick closed a 4–0 away victory against AFC Bournemouth, with the goal being described as "stunning" and "one of the goals of the season".[21] Additionally, he contributed 14 matches to the Hammers' victorious run in the UEFA Europa Conference League, their first trophy in 43 years, including 20 minutes of the 2–1 win over Fiorentina in the final in Prague;[22][23] his three goals along the way were a brace in a 3–0 group win at FCSB,[24] and the added-time only goal of the semi-final second leg away to AZ Alkmaar.[25]
During his spell at the London Stadium, Fornals made 203 appearances and scored 23 times.[26][27]
Betis
In the late hours of 1 February 2024, deadline to the winter transfer window, Fornals agreed to join Real Betis for a rumoured €6 million fee, pending on approval.[28] The deal was officially confirmed the following day, with the player signing a contract until 2029.[29][30] He made his debut on 4 February, in a 1–1 home draw with Getafe where he came on as a 66th-minute substitute for Assane Diao.[31] He scored his first goal on 9 February, in the 2–0 away defeat of Cádiz; weaving in from the left hand side, he curled a left foot shot into the far side of the net in a goal described as "spectacular".[32][33]
^Criado, José (29 March 2016). "Pablo Fornals debuta con la sub´21 y se gusta" [Pablo Fornals debuts with the under-21 and impresses]. La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 May 2016.
^García, Miguel Ángel (19 June 2019). "Fornals mantiene en pie a España" [Fornals keeps Spain standing]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 16 September 2019.
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