Gonzalo Garcia (foto: Getty Images)
Fulham have completed the signings of Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid, with both players signing long-term contracts at Craven Cottage.
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Fulham have strengthened their squad with a double signing from Real Madrid, completing the arrivals of Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios in one of the Premier League's most eye-catching deals of the summer.
Both Spanish youngsters have signed five-year contracts at Craven Cottage, with Fulham also securing an option to extend each deal by a further 12 months.
Garcia completes £34m move
The headline arrival is 22-year-old striker Gonzalo Garcia, who leaves Real Madrid after making 39 appearances and scoring eight goals in all competitions last season.
Garcia also earned his first senior Spain call-up in June and enhanced his reputation with an impressive performance at last summer's Club World Cup, where he finished among the tournament's leading goalscorers.
According to reports, Fulham have agreed to pay around £34 million for the forward.
One of the key factors behind the move is Garcia's reunion with Alvaro Arbeloa, who previously worked with the striker during his development at Real Madrid and now takes charge at Fulham.
"I am very grateful and extremely happy to be here," Garcia said after completing the transfer.
"I have to thank the club's board and Arbeloa for the trust they have shown in me. I am very excited to get started."
Palacios joins alongside his teammate
Fulham also completed the signing of 21-year-old attacking midfielder Cesar Palacios, who arrives from the Santiago Bernabéu on the same long-term contract.
Palacios made five senior appearances for Real Madrid, all from the substitutes' bench, and has represented Spain Under-20 at international level.
Although he had limited opportunities with Real's first team, Fulham believe the midfielder has significant room for development and fits the club's long-term strategy.
The double deal marks the end of Garcia's and Palacios' Real Madrid careers as they begin a new challenge in the Premier League, where Fulham hope both players will play important roles in the seasons ahead.