Fulham Sign Real Madrid Duo Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios Under New Manager Alvaro Arbeloa

Fulham have made a bold move in the transfer market by securing two players from Real Madrid, Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, each on five-year deals. These signings come under the guidance of their new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, who reconnects with his former teammates from Santiago Bernabeu.

Arbeloa Reunites With Former Club Players

The West London club signed both players to contracts extending through the summer of 2031, with an option to add another year. This double signing highlights the club's faith in Arbeloa’s vision as they invest heavily in their squad. Reports indicate a combined transfer fee of around £42.5 million for the duo.

Gonzalo Garcia Joins After Breakout Season

Gonzalo Garcia arrives at Craven Cottage for roughly £34 million following a strong 2025-26 season with Real Madrid. He featured in 39 matches across all competitions and scored eight goals. On completing his move, Garcia shared his enthusiasm about joining Fulham and praised the confidence shown by the board and Arbeloa.

"I'm very grateful, very happy to be here," Gonzalo said. "I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they've put in me, and I'm very, very excited to start."

Palacios Brings Creativity to Midfield

At just 21, Cesar Palacios is viewed as a promising attacking midfielder expected to enhance Fulham’s creativity. Although senior appearances for Madrid were limited, Palacios showed flashes of his talent during five substitute appearances and is a regular for Spain’s under-20 team.

"I am very emotional to be here. I believe it is the perfect step in my career," Palacios said. "The club is showing a lot of trust in me, and I'm going to show it on the pitch."

Fulham Signals Ambition With Double Signing

This dual signing sends a clear message that Fulham’s board supports Arbeloa’s long-term plan to rebuild the squad. The large financial commitment combined with lengthy contracts suggests the club is preparing for sustained growth rather than quick fixes.

"This is an important day as we have signed two exceptional young talents to the team whom we believe will both be part of a bright future for the club," said Tony Khan, Fulham’s vice chairman and director of football operations.

• Upcoming Friendlies:
• Fulham vs Crystal Palace - 7 Aug 2026, 19:00
• Ferencvaros vs FTC - 8 Aug 2026, 19:00
• Real Madrid Friendly - Date TBD