Done and dusted — and it is a double. Just hours after confirming the signing of Gonzalo García from Real Madrid, Fulham have completed a second deal with the Spanish giants on the very same day. The club is delighted to confirm the arrival of exciting young playmaker César Palacios on a long-term deal from Real Madrid. The parties have signed a long-term contract that will run until the summer of 2031, with Palacios becoming the second player to move from Real Madrid to Fulham in a single day.
Fulham’s summer business in 2026 has been nothing short of extraordinary. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa has already raided his former club twice in one window — and the second signing is just as exciting as the first.
Table of Contents
The Transfer: Key Details
According to the terms of the deal, the fixed transfer fee is set at €10 million, with Real Madrid having retained 30% of any future resale of the player. Fulham have confirmed the deal, with Palacios signing a deal until the summer of 2031, with the club having an option to extend by a further 12 months.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Player | César Palacios Pérez |
| From | Real Madrid |
| To | Fulham FC |
| Fixed Fee | €10 million |
| Real Madrid Retained | 30% sell-on clause |
| Contract Length | 5 years (until 2031) |
| Club Option | 1-year extension |
| Announced | August 3, 2026 |
Real Madrid’s Official Statement
Real Madrid C.F. and Fulham FC made official the transfer of midfielder César Palacios, with the deal completed for a fee of 10 million euros, plus a 30% sell-on clause in favour of the Merengue club.
Through its official channels, the Spanish club thanked the Madrid-born footballer for his commitment during his time there and wished him the very best of success in the Premier League, stressing that Madrid will always be his home.
Palacios’ First Words as a Fulham Player
Speaking to FFCtv, Palacios said: “I am very emotional to be here.” The 21-year-old’s words reflect a player who is deeply aware of the significance of the moment — stepping into the Premier League for the first time, at a club led by the same man who handed him his professional debut.
Who Is César Palacios? The Player Profile
César Palacios Pérez is a 21-year-old midfielder, born on November 11, 2004, in Soria, standing at 182 cm. The right-footed playmaker operates primarily as an attacking midfielder or winger, and is widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted players to emerge from Real Madrid’s famed La Fábrica academy in recent years.
Palacios joined the Madrid academy in 2020 at just 15 years old. During his six seasons at the club, he won the historic treble with Juvenil A in the 2022-2023 campaign and reached the milestone of making his official first-team debut this season.
His Real Madrid youth career included time with the Under-17s in 2020-2021 and the Under-18s in 2021-2022, before progressing to the Castilla reserve side where he truly made his name.
Player Profile At a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | César Palacios Pérez |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 2004 |
| Age | 21 |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Height | 182 cm |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Winger |
| Former Club | Real Madrid / Real Madrid Castilla |
| Castilla Shirt No. | 10 |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Honours | FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup |
From Castilla to the Premier League: The Journey
Palacios established himself as one of Castilla’s standout performers before earning opportunities with the senior team. His rise was not built on hype alone — it was built on consistent, elite-level performances week after week in Spain’s third tier with Real Madrid’s reserve side.
His first-team debut came under Arbeloa in the Copa del Rey against Albacete, and he went on to make six additional appearances for Real Madrid. During that stretch, he also made his UEFA Champions League debut against Benfica, adding another milestone to his rapid progression through the club’s ranks.
Palacios was a highly rated member of Real Madrid’s Castilla side but was unable to cement a place in their first team, featuring seven times across all competitions for Real Madrid last season, making his debut under Álvaro Arbeloa, the now Fulham boss.
Career Milestones at Real Madrid
| Season | Team | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Real Madrid U17 | Joined academy age 15 |
| 2021–22 | Real Madrid U18 | Progressed through youth ranks |
| 2022–23 | Juvenil A | Won historic treble |
| 2023–24 | Real Madrid Castilla | Established Castilla starter |
| 2025–26 | Real Madrid (First Team) | Copa del Rey debut vs Albacete |
| 2025–26 | Real Madrid (First Team) | UCL debut vs Benfica |
| 2025–26 | Real Madrid (First Team) | 7 total senior appearances |
The Arbeloa Factor: A Manager Who Knows Him Best
The move reunites Palacios with former Real Madrid Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who made the winger one of his top priorities after taking charge of the Premier League side.
According to reports from Spain, the Fulham manager urged the club’s sporting department to complete the signing, with negotiations accelerating over the past few days before an agreement was reached.
For Fulham, the signing brings in a player Arbeloa trusts after working closely with him during his rise through Real Madrid’s academy. The relationship between the two goes back years — Arbeloa oversaw Palacios’ development at Castilla and later handed him his senior debut. That continuity of trust is a significant advantage as the 21-year-old adjusts to life in the Premier League.
Palacios had attracted interest from multiple clubs during the summer, including Cesc Fàbregas’ side, but the pull of Arbeloa and the Premier League ultimately proved decisive.
Why Real Madrid Structured the Deal This Way
Although the transfer fee falls in the region of €10 million, Real Madrid were never expected to sell all of the player’s rights. By keeping a 30 percent stake, Los Blancos preserve the possibility of benefiting from Palacios’ future development while receiving another significant return on one of their academy products.
According to reports from Marca, Real Madrid have also protected their interests by retaining matching rights on both Palacios and fellow academy products.
For Real Madrid, the agreement continues a familiar strategy of generating substantial revenue from academy graduates while retaining a percentage of their rights, allowing the club to closely monitor players who could continue to develop into top-level talents.
A Double Swoop: Fulham’s Remarkable Transfer Window
The signing of Palacios completes a remarkable double raid on the Santiago Bernabéu by Fulham on a single day. The Premier League club have moved quickly to secure one of Spain’s promising young talents as they continue to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.
Between the €40 million signing of Gonzalo García and the €10 million arrival of César Palacios, Fulham have invested approximately €50 million in Real Madrid academy talent in a matter of hours — all under the watchful eye of Álvaro Arbeloa, who knows both players intimately from his time in Madrid.
| Player | Fee | Position | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzalo García | €40 million | Centre-Forward | Until 2031 |
| César Palacios | €10 million | Attacking Mid / Winger | Until 2031 |
| Total Spent (Madrid) | €50 million | — | — |
The London club continue to bet on young and promising talents, while Madrid, as with other rising stars, have secured a right to profit from a potential future transfer.
What Palacios Brings to Craven Cottage
At 21, Palacios arrives with a profile that suits Fulham’s style of play perfectly. He is a creative, technically gifted attacking midfielder capable of operating in tight spaces, breaking defensive lines with incisive passing, and contributing goals from midfield.
The move to England offers Palacios the opportunity to continue his development with regular first-team football under a coach who already knows his strengths and potential.
With Champions League football already on his CV and a Copa del Rey debut under his belt before the age of 22, Palacios is not an unproven commodity. He is a player who has already performed on European football’s grandest stages — and now, the Premier League awaits.
Read More: Official: Gonzalo García Signs for Fulham From Real Madrid in €40 Million Deal
FAQs
Is César Palacios’ signing by Fulham officially confirmed?
Yes. Fulham FC officially confirmed the arrival of César Palacios on a long-term deal from Real Madrid. The deal is worth €10 million with Real Madrid retaining a 30% sell-on clause, and Palacios has signed until the summer of 2031.
How much did Fulham pay for César Palacios?
Fulham reached an agreement to sign César Palacios from Real Madrid in a deal worth €10 million. The agreement includes the €10 million transfer fee along with a 30 percent sell-on clause in favour of Real Madrid.
What is César Palacios’ connection to Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa?
Palacios’ first-team debut came under Arbeloa in the Copa del Rey against Albacete. Arbeloa worked closely with the player throughout his time at Castilla and was the key driving force behind Fulham’s pursuit of his signature.
What honours did César Palacios win at Real Madrid?
During his six seasons at the club, he won the historic treble with Juvenil A in the 2022-2023 campaign. Throughout his career, César Palacios won the UEFA Super Cup (2024/25) and FIFA Club World Cup (2024) with Real Madrid.
Does Real Madrid retain any rights over Palacios after his sale to Fulham?
Yes. Real Madrid have retained 30% of any future resale of the player. The clause ensures the Spanish giants will receive a significant share of any future transfer involving Palacios, reflecting their confidence in the player’s long-term potential.
