Fulham have completed the signing of Gonzalo García and César Palacios from Real Madrid, adding two academy graduates to the squad on long-term contracts. The club announced both deals on Monday, 3 August, with striker García, 22, signing for five years until the summer of 2031 and attacking midfielder Palacios, 21, committing until June 2031. Each contract carries a club option for a further year, and both moves were completed for undisclosed fees, with media reports valuing the combined package in the region of €50m.
The signings are the first of Álvaro Arbeloa’s tenure as head coach. Fulham appointed the former Real Madrid defender in July after Marco Silva’s departure, and the double swoop reunites him with two players he coached at Real Madrid Castilla.
A reunion built in Madrid
Arbeloa worked with both players at Real Madrid’s B team, and each credited him after signing. “I’m very grateful, very happy to be here,” García said in the club’s announcement. “I have to thank the board and Arbeloa for the trust they’ve put in me.” Palacios was just as direct: “I am very emotional to be here. I believe it is the perfect step in my career.”
The connection runs deeper than pre-season contact. Palacios made his senior Real Madrid debut in Arbeloa’s first match in charge of the first team and went on to make seven appearances in the second half of last season. García spent the closing months of that campaign working back under Arbeloa after his breakthrough year.
García arrives with a goalscoring record
Born in Madrid, García joined Real’s academy at the age of 10 and returned to the club in 2019 after a season in Mallorca’s youth setup. He has scored at every level since: 35 goals as the Under-19s completed a treble in 2023/24, then 29 goal involvements in 36 Castilla appearances, 19 of them from wide positions. His first senior goal for Real was a late winner against Leganés in the Copa del Rey, and he finished last season with eight goals and three assists in 39 first-team appearances, including a perfect hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Real Betis.
His form carried into international football. García won the golden boot at the FIFA Club World Cup with four goals, earned a senior Spain debut in a World Cup warm-up, and scored six goals in seven Under-21 caps. He will wear the number seven shirt at Craven Cottage.
Palacios adds creativity in midfield
Palacios came through Numancia’s academy before Real Madrid signed him six years ago. Under Arbeloa at Castilla he registered 19 goal involvements in 32 appearances, and he has scored seven goals in 12 games for Spain’s Under-19s. Fulham describe him as a hard-working, creative midfielder, and he takes the number eight shirt.
First day at Motspur Park
Both players reported for their first day of training on Tuesday, with vice-chairman Tony Khan describing the double deal as an important day for the club. “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,” Khan said.
Fulham’s preparations for the new Premier League season now continue with Arbeloa’s first signings in the building, and both players will wear their new numbers when the campaign gets under way.
