Born: Lisbon, Portugal, 9 July 1995
Position: Defensive midfielder; central midfielder
International caps: 31
International goals: 2
Signed: 4 July 2022 from Sporting CP (£17.2m)
Fulham debut: Fulham 2-2 Liverpool, 6 August 2022
Fulham appearances: 79
Fulham goals: 8
Sold: 11 July 2024 to Bayern Munich (£47.4m)
Tremendous tackler João Palhinha has to be considered one of the signings of the summer. Fulham pinched the Portuguese international from under the noses of Wolves when they signed him for £17.2m from Sporting and he has since been on a mission to prove what a bargain that fee was. Palhinha, revelling in being reunited with former manager Marco Silva, has been an instant hit at Craven Cottage owing to his penchant for a strong challenge and popping up with crucial goals: in the derby against Brentford, a brilliant strike to put the Whites in front at Nottingham Forest and the late winner against Southampton.
Palhinha topped the Premier League tackling table in two terrific seasons at the Cottage. He was close to joining Bayern Munich in September 2023 and eventually signed for the German giants in July 2024 for £47.4m.
