In a major coup, Bayern Munich have finalized the signing of Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham for a reported fee of €49 million ($53 million), the club announced on Thursday.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder, who spent the past two seasons at Fulham after joining from Sporting Lisbon in 2022 for €22 million, has put pen to paper on a four-year contract with the Bundesliga giants.
This transfer marks the culmination of a long-standing pursuit by Bayern, who had been on the verge of acquiring Palhinha’s services last year, with the player even posing in the club’s kit. However, the deal fell through just before the transfer window closed as Fulham were unable to secure a suitable replacement.
“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” an elated Palhinha said in a statement. “Joining Bayern Munich is a dream come true for me, and I’m eager to enjoy success with this club and win titles.”
Bayern sporting director Max Eberl acknowledged the club’s persistent interest in the Portuguese international, who has earned 31 caps for his national team. “Palhinha was highly sought after by Bayern even last summer, and rightly so. It was important that we never lost touch with him,” Eberl said.
Palhinha’s arrival is the latest in a series of major signings for Bayern this summer, as the club embarks on a rebuilding process following a season without a trophy – a rarity for the perennial Bundesliga champions.
Alongside the additions of forward Michael Olise and center-back Hiroki Ito, Bayern have also appointed former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany as their new manager, tasked with reclaiming the Bundesliga crown and making a deep run in the Champions League, with the final set to be hosted at the Allianz Arena next season.
