Fulham have signed midfielder Manuel Angel from Real Madrid, their third acquisition from the Spanish club this summer. The 22-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year contract at Craven Cottage for a fee worth £3 million, which includes a 50% sell-on clause.
Angel's arrival comes as Fulham look to bolster their squad after a challenging start to the 2026/27 Premier League season. The club currently sits 16th in the standings, having lost both of their opening matches. They have scored two goals but conceded four, leaving them with a negative goal difference and six points behind early leaders Manchester City.
Manuel Angel is a former Spain youth international who joins Fulham's project under manager Alvaro Arbeloa. He expressed his excitement at the move, telling the club's media channels, "It's an incredible feeling to have signed for such a legendary club as Fulham, the oldest in London." He added, "And to compete in a league like the Premier League, where every player dreams of playing at some point in their career." The midfielder becomes the latest in a line of players making the switch from the Bernabeu to west London this window.
Angel is not the only player to have traded Madrid for London this summer. He follows defenders Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios, who both reunited with former Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa at Fulham. This pipeline from the Spanish capital represents a clear strategic focus for the club's recruitment. Arbeloa's knowledge of the Real Madrid academy system appears to be a significant factor in identifying and securing these talents for the Premier League challenge.
Fulham's summer business has been extensive, with Angel joining several other new faces. The club also confirmed the loan signing of Swedish international Hugo Larsson from Eintracht Frankfurt, a deal that will become permanent for £18.3 million at the end of the season. The 22-year-old Larsson made 87 appearances for the German side over three years. Austrian centre-back David Affengruber, 25, arrived from Elche on a four-year deal with an option for a further year. Affengruber played 84 times for the Spanish side and was part of Austria's recent World Cup squad. Fans can view the full updated squad online.
The immediate focus shifts to the pitch, where Fulham will aim to secure their first points of the campaign. Their next opportunity comes at home against Crystal Palace on September 5th. Palace currently sit 18th in the table, making it a key early-season fixture for both sides. Manuel Angel's three-year contract at Craven Cottage begins with this important London derby.
