Fulham have confirmed the double signing of Real Madrid duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios for a combined fee of £42.5 million, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The west London side moved swiftly to secure both Spanish midfielders, with the deals unveiled just 30 minutes apart. Garcia arrives for £34 million on a five-year contract that includes a club option to extend by a further 12 months. The 22-year-old arrives with a growing reputation after finishing as top scorer at the Club World Cup last summer.
Palacios, 21, completes the double swoop for a fee of around £8.5 million. He has signed an identical five-year deal with the same 12-month extension option held by the club.
The signings represent the first major transfer business overseen by new Fulham head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who previously worked with both players during his time on the coaching staff at Real Madrid last season. The former Spain international right-back takes charge at Craven Cottage with the task of building on the club’s established Premier League status.
Garcia’s goalscoring form at the Club World Cup highlighted his attacking threat from midfield, while Palacios is regarded as a technically gifted playmaker who progressed through the ranks at the Santiago Bernabeu. Both players have represented Spain at youth international level.
The combined outlay signals Fulham’s ambition to strengthen significantly ahead of the new campaign. The club finished last season in mid-table but will be targeting a push for European qualification with a squad now bolstered by two players developed in one of the world’s most demanding academy systems.
Arbeloa’s familiarity with the pair is expected to ease their adaptation to English football. The head coach’s knowledge of their technical attributes, tactical understanding and character was a decisive factor in the club’s pursuit, according to sources close to the negotiations.
Fulham supporters will hope the Spanish connection can replicate the success of previous La Liga imports at the club. The deals are subject to international clearance and work permit approval, though both players hold EU passports which should simplify the administrative process.
Pre-season preparations begin next week, giving the new arrivals immediate opportunity to integrate with their teammates ahead of the Premier League opener.
