Fulham sign Real Madrid forward Gonzalo García and midfielder César Palacios on five-year deals

Fulham completed a double swoop on Real Madrid on Monday, announcing the signings of Spanish forward Gonzalo García and midfielder César Palacios. Both players signed five-year contracts running until the summer of 2031, with the Premier League club holding an option to extend each deal by a further 12 months.

The Gonzalo García deal

Gonzalo, 22, arrived at Real Madrid in 2014 at the age of 10 and spent eleven seasons in the club's system. He made 39 appearances for the first team last season, scoring eight goals and providing three assists. His breakout moment came in a 5-1 victory over Real Betis, where he netted a hat-trick. Across his senior Real Madrid career he totalled 13 goals in 51 matches, winning the Champions League and LaLiga in 2024, and was joint-top scorer at the 2025 Club World Cup.

“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.”

British and Spanish media reported the fixed fee for Gonzalo at €40 million (£34 million), with Real Madrid retaining a 30% sell-on clause. The move marks his first experience outside Spain.

César Palacios joins the project

Palacios, 21, is an attacking midfielder who joined Real Madrid's academy in 2020 at age 15. He made five senior appearances for the club, all from the substitutes' bench, and debuted for the first team during the past season. His transfer fee was reported at nearly €10 million, with Real Madrid keeping 30% of his economic rights. Palacios has represented Spain at under-20 level and will wear the number 8 shirt at Fulham.

The Arbeloa reunion

Both players have a history with new Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa. Gonzalo worked with Arbeloa in Real Madrid's under-19 side during the 2023/24 season, when his 35 goals helped the team win a domestic treble, and again during the second half of last season when Arbeloa took charge of the senior side. Palacios also played under Arbeloa in the academy setup. Arbeloa succeeded Marco Silva at Fulham, with Silva moving to Benfica. José Mourinho, Arbeloa's former manager, returned to Real Madrid to replace him.

Gonzalo's international path

Gonzalo earned his first senior Spain cap in a June friendly during World Cup preparations. He was included in Luis de la Fuente's preliminary World Cup squad but did not make the final list. At under-21 level he scored six goals in seven appearances, wearing the number 7 shirt he will now sport at Craven Cottage.

What's next

Fulham begin their Premier League campaign at home against Chelsea on August 24. Gonzalo joins a list of departures from the Bernabéu this summer that also includes Fran González (Sevilla), Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Fran García (Betis), Mario Martín (Getafe) and Dani Ceballos.