They don’t want to be a “yo-yo” club anymore, so it’s about time they added some real quality to their ranks! Fulham made a vital step in strengthening their squad with the addition of Sporting SP’s imposing defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha for a fee of around $21 million.The 26-year-old signed a five-year contract at Craven Cottage and will surely be one of the most important players as Marco Silva’s team attempts to beat the drop in their first season back from the depths of the Championship.Palhinha, who was thought to have also been a target for Wolves, was part of the Sporting side that won a league and cup double in 2021. He made 39 appearances last season in all competitions – including six in the Champions League – and has featured 14 times so far for Portugal.20.00: (1.65) CSKA (3.90) Nizhny Novgorod (4.30)He’s a traditional defensive midfielder known for his ball-winning abilities, agility, and distribution. He has a big physical presence on the pitch and is excellent at breaking up play and disrupting opposition moves. His physical ability should make his transition to English football go smoothly.”I’m delighted to be here. It’s a big opportunity for me, for my career, to play in what is – in my opinion – the best league in the world. I’ve signed with a great club. Fulham wanted me, and I wanted to come here, so I promise the fans that I will do my best, and I hope we can win so many things this season.”The move from Lisbon to London will see Palhinha’s salary double. He will reportedly earn around $2.6 million per season.
Relatively new to the international game, Palhinha was given his senior Portugal debut in a World Cup Qualifier against Azerbaijan in March 2021. Still, he’s been a regular in the squad ever since, winning 14 caps and scoring twice, including two appearances at the 2020 European Championship.The Cottagers decided against extending the contract of midfielder Jean Michael Seri at the end of last season, and he has now departed Craven Cottage. Signing Palhinha was a top priority. But he won’t be the last to join the London club. Silva wants up to 10 new faces in the summer window as he prepares for life back in the Premier League. The west London club are also close to signing Manor Solomon from Shakhtar Donetsk. At the same time, they are also in talks with Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno and have made an offer for Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira.