Fulham seal triple Deadline Day deal as Alvaro Arbeloa signs more Real Madrid talent

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Evening Standard

·1 September 2026

Fulham seal triple Deadline Day deal as Alvaro Arbeloa signs more Real Madrid talent

Cottagers bolstered as Manuel Angel and Hugo Larsson arrive on banks of the Thames

Fulham have confirmed the Deadline Day signings of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Larsson, Real Madrid’s Manuel Angel, and Elche’s David Affengruber.

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Alvaro Arbeloa’s side have been busier in the transfer window this summer than last, previously adding Shea Charles alongside Real Madrid pair Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios.

And after tasting defeat in both of his first two Premier League outings, Arbeloa has once again gone shopping at Valdebebas, this time coming back with 22-year-old midfielder Angel.

The Spaniard has signed a three-year deal with an option for a further 12 months. Arbeloa named him captain of his Real Madrid Castilla side, and later handed him his first-team debut after both men were promoted mid-season. Angel went on to make four La Liga appearances and also featured in the Champions League.

“Training under Arbeloa is a real privilege,” he told the club’s website after signing.

“I’ve known him for many years from the Real Madrid youth academy, and he’s a coach who brings out the best in players, gets the most out of each one and, most importantly, understands them.

“Now, he’s going to be coaching me at a higher level, and I must give him the same intensity and commitment – or even more – than ever before.”

He joins as one half of a midfield overhaul, with 12-cap Sweden international Larsson completing the new arrivals.

Signed, sealed, delivered: Hugo Larsson joins Fulham

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Standard Sport understands he has joined up on an initial one-year loan, which will be made permanent for £18.3m. The club have confirmed he will sign a long-term deal.

Previously a Swedish league and cup champion at Malmo, the 22-year-old can be read as a replacement for Sasa Lukic, who joined Ipswich Town on a permanent transfer earlier this summer.

“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family – I’m honoured to be here,” he said after putting pen to paper on his new contract.

Both Angel and Larsson will hope to make their Fulham debuts this weekend as the Cottagers host Crystal Palace.

The 25-year-old centre-back Affengruber, meanwhile, has touched down in west London and signed a four-year contract with a club option for a further 12 months. Fulham spent £8.5m to secure his services.