Fulham have confirmed the signing of Spanish goalkeeper Fabi from Besiktas for a fee believed to be in the region of £5m.
The thirty year-old goalkeeper, who has worked with Fulham’s goalkeeping coach Jose Sambede at Deportivo La Coruna and Besiktas, has signed a three-year deal at Craven Cottage. The Premier League new boys also have an option to extend that deal by a further year.
After obtaining a wealth of experience in Spanish football, Fabri signed for Besiktas in the summer of 2016 and helped the Turkish club win the domestic title, keeping fourteen Super Lig clean sheets. He has been voted the league’s best goalkeeper for the past two seasons and starred as Besiktas topped their Champions’ League group, qualifying for the second phase undefeated. Fulham entered into protracted negotiations with Besiktas for Fabri and, after having two sizable bids rejected, have finally got their man.
Fabri, who will compete with Marcus Bettinelli for the number one jersey ahead of the start of the Premier League season next month, told Fulham’s official website:
I’m delighted to be at an historic club like Fulham, the oldest club in London. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to be in the Premier League with Fulham. Everything is very positive for me and I want to take the opportunity to make the most of this goal of being in the Premier League.
Fulham’s vice chairman and director of football operations, Tony Khan, said:
I’m pleased to announce that Fulham FC has completed the permanent signing of goalkeeper Fabri from Besiktas. He is a tremendous player that we’ve targeted for some time. His scouting profile and his data profile are both strong, and he has exceptional career credentials including Champions League experience, plus he has worked well with our First Team Goalkeeping Coach Jose Sambade Carreira in the past, so we expect his addition will make us a more complete and competitive football club.
