Spanish defender Jorge Cuenca is the next name through the doors at Craven Cottage.
Cuenca, 24, a product of Alcorcon's academy, signed for Barcelona U19 in 2017 and has since played for Villarreal after a loan move in 2020 that was made permanent. He has since had two more loan spells at Almeria and Getafe, impressing in La Liga.
The fee is around £6.5million, with the deal lasting five years keeping the Spaniard in SW6 until 2029. Barcelona are set to receive 20% of the fee as part of his previous move from the 27-time La Liga winners.
This is the first defender Fulham have signed this season, after the departure of Tosin Adarabioyo to SW6 neighbours Chelsea. Club veteran Tim Ream is rumoured to leave for the USA, so defensive reinforcements are key for Marco Silva's side.
Jorge Cuenca: How good is Fulham's new man?
First of all, this signing flew under the radar. Cuenca is a left-footed centre-back with minimal international experience. He has zero first-team caps for Spain, but three for the U19 and 11 for the U21. With a quick look at his stats in La Liga, this could be a fantastic move for Fulham in terms of value for money.
Last season in the La Liga, Cuenca was a solid player for Villarreal as they finished just outside a European spot in 8th. Although they conceded the third most goals in the league, only behind relegated Granada and Almeria, Cuenca was individually a standout performer, in a season where Villarreal saw three different managers.
Statistically, he ranked in the top 13% in goals for centre-backs, the top 17% for defensive actions and the top 14% for aerial duels won, so he performed at both ends of the pitch, and in the air. At times he would play left-back, but with Antonee Robinson winning Fulham's 2023/24 player of the season, that is a set position for the Cottagers.
Cuenca has joined up with the team on their Portuguese training camp. Fulham play Spanish side Sevilla on Monday.
