AGS NEWS – Bayern Munich secured the signing of Portuguese midfielder Joao Palhinha from Fulham for a reported fee of 49 million euros ($53 million) on Thursday, following a near-miss deal last year.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who joined Fulham from Sporting Lisbon in 2022 for 22 million euros, has committed to a four-year contract with Bayern.

Bayern had been on the verge of signing Palhinha in 2023, with the player even posing in the club’s jersey. However, the deal fell through at the last minute when Fulham couldn’t find a replacement.

Palhinha expressed his joy, calling it “one of the happiest days of my life” and stating his ambition to “enjoy success with Bayern and win titles.”

Sporting director Max Eberl noted that Palhinha was “highly sought after by Bayern even last summer – and rightly so. It was important that we never lost touch.”

Palhinha, who has scored twice in 31 international appearances, participated in Portugal’s Euro 2024 campaign, which ended in the quarter-finals against France.

ALSO READ: France sentences over 700 rioters to prison

His signing marks Bayern’s third major addition of the summer as the club undergoes a rebuild after a trophyless season, the first since 2012.

Forward Michael Olise and center-back Hiroki Ito have also joined, alongside new manager Vincent Kompany.

Kompany aims to restore Bayern to the top of German football after their 11-year Bundesliga title streak was broken last season.

Bayern was eliminated in the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid, while Bayer Leverkusen clinched the league and cup double under manager Xabi Alonso.

Kompany will face added pressure with the Champions League final set to be held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena next season.