Fulham have confirmed the signing of Swansea City defender Alfie Mawson for a fee believed to be in the region of £15m. It is thought the fee could eventually rise to £20m, dependent on performance-related bonuses.
The former England under-21 international defender has signed a four-year contract at Craven Cottage after passing a medical on Tuesday evening and agreeing personal terms with the newly-promoted club. The 24 year-old was keen to remain in the top flight after starring during Swansea City’s relegation last season and prioritised a return to the capital, having grown up in Hillingdon.
Mawson, who is currently recovering from knee surgery but remains optimistic about being fit for Fulham’s opening league game of the season against Crystal Palace on August 11th, was called into Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the World Cup, sitting on the bench during the pre-tournament friendlies against Holland and Italy. The ball-playing centre back had impressed during his two years at Swansea and enjoyed an excellent European Under-21 Championship last summer, where England reached the semi-finals.
The former Barnsley centre back told Fulham’s official website this evening:
I’m really happy to get this over the line and join Fulham. I’m excited by the project going on here and the football being played last season was lovely on the eye but also effective and I can’t wait to be a part of it and get going. I’m excited to be a part of this great Club moving forward and to help achieve success in the Premier League.
Fulham’s vice-chairman and head of football operations, Tony Khan, said:
I’m pleased to announce that Fulham Football Club has signed Alfie Mawson! Alfie is an exciting young player with a strong future at a position of major importance to our club.
Alfie is also very highly regarded by our scouting department and our data analysts, giving us great confidence in our back line as we prepare long term for Premier League competition. It’s only fitting that such a fine homegrown talent like Alfie will flourish in the presence of the finest supporters in London at Craven Cottage for years to come.
