Bayern sign Portugal star Palhinha at second time of asking
The Peninsula
Munich, Germany: Bayern Munich on Thursday finally secured the signing of Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham for a reported fee of 49 milli...
Munich, Germany: Bayern Munich on Thursday finally secured the signing of Portugal midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham for a reported fee of 49 million euros ($53 million) after coming close to acquiring him last year.
The 28-year-old, who spent two years at Fulham after arriving from Sporting Lisbon in 2022 for 22 million euros, signed a four year contract.
Bayern had been poised to sign Palhinha in 2023, the defensive midfielder had even posed in the club's strip, but the deal fell through just before the transfer window closed when Fulham failed to find a replacement.
In a statement, Palhinha said it was "one of the happiest days of my life," adding "this is a dream come true for me... I want to enjoy success with Bayern and win titles."
Sporting director Max Eberl said the player was "highly sought after by Bayern even last summer -- and rightly so. It was important that we never lost touch"