Fulham have completed the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Manuel Angel, making him the third player to move from the Spanish club as manager Alvaro Arbeloa continues to reshape his squad.
The deal was concluded on the final day of the transfer window, giving Arbeloa the opportunity to bring in a player he knows particularly well from his time working within Real Madrid’s youth system. Manuel Angel was captain under Arbeloa and became one of the coach’s most trusted players during that period.
The transfer is reportedly worth about €4m (£3.4m), with Fulham acquiring 70% of the midfielder’s registration rights.
Manuel Angel follows Gonzalo Garcia and Chema Andres in moving from Real Madrid to Fulham. His arrival further underlines the club’s recruitment focus on players connected to Arbeloa’s previous work in Spain.
Arbeloa had originally set his sights on another Real Madrid midfielder, Thiago Pitarch. Pitarch had featured regularly during the half-season in which Arbeloa was in charge of the first team at the Santiago Bernabeu.
That move did not go ahead, however, after Jose Mourinho, who is now in charge of Real Madrid’s senior side, blocked the transfer. Fulham subsequently returned their attention to Manuel Angel and were able to reach an agreement for his move to England.
The 22-year-old made four La Liga appearances last season but later fell out of favour and was sidelined at Castilla. His situation at Real Madrid left him searching for a new opportunity, and Arbeloa’s arrival at Fulham provided a route away from the club.
The midfielder will now begin a new chapter in England under a coach who has already worked closely with him and understands his qualities from their time together in Real Madrid’s youth setup.
For Arbeloa, the signing completes a late move for one of his preferred targets and adds to a growing Spanish influence at Fulham. Manuel Angel’s transfer also gives the player the chance to revive his career after losing his place and being left out at Castilla.
Fulham’s agreement with Real Madrid means three players have now made the move between the clubs during Arbeloa’s Spanish overhaul. While Gonzalo Garcia and Chema Andres arrived before him, Manuel Angel becomes the latest addition to the group, completing the deal on the closing day of the transfer window.