Fulham have signed forward Gonzalo Garcia and midfielder Cesar Palacios from Real Madrid, reuniting both players with new Fulham manager Alvaro Arbeloa, who previously worked with them at the Bernabeu. The deals strengthen Fulham's attacking options ahead of the new season and mark a significant statement of intent, bringing in two young players with strong pedigree from one of European football's biggest clubs.

Garcia, 22, has signed a five-year deal reportedly worth around £34m; he made 39 appearances and scored eight goals for Real Madrid last season, won his first Spain cap in June, and was joint-top scorer at last summer's Club World Cup. Palacios, 21, an attacking midfielder capped by Spain at under-20 level, joins on a contract running until 2031, having made five substitute appearances for Real's first team. Both contracts include a club option to extend by a further year.