Bayern Munich has successfully secured the signing of midfielder João Palhinha from Premier League club Fulham. The 28-year-old's transfer to Bayern had almost materialized last summer but fell through on deadline day. Despite signing a contract extension with Fulham until 2028 shortly after, Bayern persisted in their pursuit of the player and have now finalized the deal for an undisclosed number of years.
Palhinha, who featured in 39 matches across all competitions for Fulham last season, has established himself as one of the top defensive midfielders in the Premier League since joining the club from Sporting CP in 2022. His contributions on the field have been instrumental in Fulham's successful campaigns, resulting in 10th and 13th place finishes in the league in the past two seasons.
Vincent Kompany, the newly appointed Bayern boss, has been active in the transfer market, with Palhinha becoming his second high-profile signing following Michael Olise's recent move to the Bavarian outfit. The arrival of Japan defender Hiroki Ito on a four-year contract earlier in June marked the initial signing of the Kompany era at Bayern.
Palhinha also represented Portugal in the Euro 2024 tournament, where the team reached the quarterfinals before being eliminated by France in a penalty shootout. His experience at both club and international levels underscores his value as a versatile and accomplished midfielder, making him a significant addition to Bayern Munich's squad for the upcoming season.
