Fulham have completed the signing of Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal for an undisclosed fee.
The defender has signed a four-year contract with Fulham, securing his stay at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2028, with a club option to extend for an additional year.
“I’m really, really happy. I’m so proud to be here. I’m so happy to be here and to play for Fulham,” Cuenca said.
“The club is an historical club and Craven Cottage is an historical stadium. I prefer Fulham because of the city, the club, obviously the historical stadium, and I want to play in the Premier League.”
The Athletic reported that Fulham were in advanced talks to sign the centre-back, who played 37 matches across all competitions for Villarreal last season.
Cuenca had a medical in Portugal, where Marco Silva’s Fulham squad are based as part of their pre-season plans.
Fulham were keen to bolster their defence following Tosin Adarabioyo’s departure to Chelsea as a free agent earlier this window, and with Tim Ream currently negotiating a move to MLS side Charlotte FC.
Villarreal acquired Cuenca from Barcelona in the summer of 2020. After making just one first-team appearance for Barca, the 24-year-old spent the next two seasons on loan at Almeria and Getafe.
Cuenca was part of Villarreal’s first-team squad for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, solidifying his role as a regular starter last season with 28 starts in all competitions.
He becomes Fulham’s third signing of the summer following the arrivals of Ryan Sessegnon on a free transfer and Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal. The west London club are keen on further additions after making a £20million bid for Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.
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