Fulham have completed five signings on deadline day as they bolstered their squad for a first Premier League campaign since 2014.
The Cottagers signed goalkeeper Sergio Rico and forward left-back Joe Bryan on permanent deals, as well as securing Atletico Madrid forward Luciano Vietto on a season-long loan.
A club-record £30m deal for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was also completed shortly before a two hour transfer extension expired. Anguissa, 22, is an exciting central midfielder bought from Marseille and a Cameroon international.
Timothy Fosu-Mensah emerged as a late target and sealed a last-minute season-long loan after being convinced to join the club by Slavisa Jokanovic. “Fulham has a lot of good players, and it’s good for my development to be here. I spoke to the Manager and he gave me a good feeling.”
Rico, who boasts one Spanish cap, was described by Fulham’s sporting director Tony Khan as a “world class goalkeeper” and said of his move to west London “I’m very happy, really pleased to have signed for the oldest club in the Premier League. I’m excited to start training, to meet all my teammates and, above all, to enjoy the season that starts this Saturday.”
Bryan, who played against the Cottagers for Bristol City last season, said: “The opportunity to play in the Premier League is one you can’t turn down as you may never get it again in your lifetime.
“I’m used to playing fast attacking football, so hopefully I can slot right in.”
Vietto joins on loan from Atletico Madrid looking to recapture the form that made him one of Europe’s most in-demand young strikers and is still only 24.
Vietto, who has previously been on loan at Sevilla and Valencia, said, “It’s an important change for me because this is my first experience here in England. I hope to do as well as possible. I’m very happy to come to the club and sign.”
