Fulham have completed the signing of Joao Palhinha for an undisclosed fee from Sporting Lisbon.
The 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a five-year contract at Craven Cottage with the option of a further 12 months on top of that, potentially keeping him at the club until 2028.
The deal to bring Palhinha to West London is thought to be worth around £20m, with Fulham fending off rumoured competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers for his signature.
Fulham FC statement - Geoff Pruce
The Club is delighted to confirm the signing of João Palhinha from Sporting Clube de Portugal for an undisclosed fee.
The 26-year-old Portugal international has agreed a five-year deal, with a Club option for an additional 12 months, keeping him at Craven Cottage until at least the summer of 2027.
Speaking to FFCtv, Palhinha said: “I’m very glad 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. The Club wanted me, and I chose the Club, so I promise the fans that I will do my best, and I hope we can win so many things in this season.”
Tony Khan added: “João Palhinha has excelled in Portugal playing both club and international football. He’s been one of our top targets in this window.
“While there were other prominent clubs aiming to secure his signature, we’re thrilled that João chose to come here and that he wants to play for Fulham under our great coach Marco Silva, and we believe that João will be a valuable addition to strengthen the squad to compete this season in the Premier League.
“Come on Fulham!”
An imposing defensive midfielder, Palhinha joined his local side Sporting a decade ago. After a number of appearances for the club’s B team, he was given a first taste of senior football on loan with Moreirense in 2015/16, making 29 appearances as he helped preserve their top-flight status.
Palhinha was sent to a different Primeira Liga outfit the following campaign, making 13 appearances for Belenenses in the first half of 2016/17 before returning to Sporting where he was a regular in the side that finished third.
A final loan switch followed, as he spent two seasons with Braga, racking up 61 appearances and five goals as his new side finished fourth and third in the Primeira Liga, while they also won the Taça da Liga in his second season.
The ball-winner was then a mainstay in midfield upon his return to his parent club, helping them win the title for the first time since 2002 in his first season back.
He was also named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year that campaign, and helped Sporting to the Taça da Liga title.
Palhinha made it three consecutive Taça da Ligas the following year, but Sporting could not retain their league crown, finishing second behind Porto despite winning 27 of their 34 matches.
He also sampled Champions League football for the first time last season, helping Sporting progress to the knockout stages, and departs the Lisbon outfit with 95 appearances and seven goals to his name.
Fairly new to the international game, Palhinha was given his senior Portugal debut in a World Cup Qualifier against Azerbaijan in March 2021, but he’s been a regular in the squad ever since, winning 14 caps – and scoring twice – including two appearances at the 2020 European Championship.