Fulham complete Real Madrid raid for young striker Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios - 'I’m very, very excited to start'
Updated 03/08/2026 at 22:25 GMT+1
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Premier League side Fulham have completed the signing of young Spanish striker Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid. The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Craven Cottage and is joined at the club by Cesar Palacios.
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Garcia scored six times in La Liga last season having established himself as a key man under new Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa, who succeeded Xabi Alonso at the Bernabeu helm in January.
Arbeloa departed Real Madrid following Jose Mourinho's return to the capital and has made Garcia his first signing since taking over the Fulham reins.
After putting his name to a deal tying him to the Craven Cottage club until the summer of 2031, Garcia said: ”I’m very grateful, very happy to be here.
”I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they’ve put in me, and I’m very, very excited to start.”
Garcai was joined in making the move from Real to west London by Palacios, who has signed a "long-term deal".
Speaking to the club's media channel, Palacios said: ”I am very emotional to be here. I believe it is the perfect step in my career.
”The club is showing a lot of trust in me, and I’m going to show it on the pitch.”
Garcia was born in the Spanish capital and made his debut for the senior side in 2023 after coming through the club’s youth system, while Palacios cut his teeth at Numancia before joining Real in 2020.
Fulham director of football operations Tony Khan feels The Cottagers have got their hands on a pair of emerging talents.
”I’m thrilled to welcome Gonzalo Garcia to Fulham," Khan said. "Gonzalo is a very talented young striker, and he is excited to come to Fulham and play in the Premier League.
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”We all believe that Gonzalo will be a tremendous addition to the squad and will prove to be an excellent player for the club under Alvaro’s leadership.
”I’m excited to welcome Cesar Palacios to Fulham. Cesar is a hard-working and creative young midfielder, and we believe that he will be a good addition to our squad under Alvaro’s leadership.
”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."
Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last term, but saw Marco Silva depart over the summer to take over at Benfica.
Arbeloa was brought in as Silva’s replacement, and he has moved for familiar faces in Garcia and Palacios.
Real paid tribute to a player who has one Liga title to his name.
”Gonzalo has always exemplified the values of Real Madrid in an exemplary manner. Our club thanks him for his commitment and dedication throughout these years,” the club said in a statement.
”Real Madrid, which will always be his home, wishes him and his family the very best in this new stage of his life.”
Fulham begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign at home to Chelsea on August 24, as Arbeloa meets Alonso, whom he replaced at the Santiago Bernabeu last season.
The Blues, meanwhile, have strengthened their squad further by confirming the capture of experienced England midfielder Jordan Henderson from Brentford, with the 36-year-old signing a two-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
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