Shea Charles has praised Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa’s vision after signing from Southampton in a deal worth up to £30million.
Charles has signed a five-year contract, with a club option to extend his deal by a further 12 months, making him Fulham’s fourth signing of the summer.
The 22-year-old joins former Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios as well as Swedish forward Jonah Kusi Asare, who signed on a permanent deal after spending last season on loan at the west London club from Bayern Munich.
Charles enjoyed an excellent season at Southampton as they reached the Championship play-offs before they were expelled from the final following the Spygate scandal.
The former Manchester City academy graduate, who will wear the No19 shirt, bolsters Fulham’s midfield as Arbeloa’s plans begin to take shape ahead of the new season.
Fulham are set to embark on a new era following the departure of longstanding manager Marco Silva, and there is a fair amount of uncertainty around the club given Arbeloa’s relative lack of managerial experience.
Charles, though, says it was Arbeloa’s vision which helped convince him to turn down interest from elsewhere to sign for Fulham.
“I’m buzzing to finally get it over the line. The club has got a really good foundation, from the bottom to the top really,” Charles told Fulham’s in-house media.
“It’s a great club, with a really good vision – the manager explained that to me. To be here is a massive privilege.
“I hope to really kickstart my Premier League career. At such a good club as well, it’s perfect for me, and hopefully perfect for the fans as well.”
