Fonte Signs
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/BPI_JL_FONTE_FULddHAM_0101.jpg?w=622&h=278)
The Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Sporting Clube de Braga captain Rui Fonte for an undisclosed fee.
The 27-year-old has signed a three-year deal, with a Club option to extend by a further 12 months.
Comfortable playing as a number nine or in a wider position, Fonte already has two goals to his name from his four Braga appearances this season. He netted the winner in their 2-1 league victory over Portimonense, while he was also on target in a UEFA Europa League Qualifier against AIK Solna.
Fonte joined Braga permanently last summer following a successful loan spell, and he ended the season with 11 goals from 24 league starts, making him comfortably the club's top scorer as they finished fifth in the Primeira Liga.
(http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/BPI_JL_FONTE_FULHAM_0106.jpg)
After coming through the academy at Portuguese giants Sporting Clube de Portugal, Fonte's first stint in England saw him join Arsenal as a teenager, where he went on to make his professional debut in a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic in November 2008.
The younger brother of West Ham United defender and European Championship winner Jose Fonte, he joined his sibling at Crystal Palace for a 10-game loan spell later that season, giving him a first taste of Championship football.
In the summer of 2009 Fonte returned to his homeland with former club Sporting Lisbon. He took in loan spells with Vitória Setúbal and Espanyol, before making his move to the latter permanent.
Fonte was back in Portugal by January 2013 when he signed a deal with Benfica, for whom he scored in the Final of the Taça de Portugal, the country's domestic cup competition, as they beat Porto on penalties.
Capped by Portugal at youth level from Under-16s upwards, Fonte scored eight times in 22 appearances for their Under-21 side. He has been called up for the senior team in the past, but is yet to win a full cap.
Speaking to fulhamfc.com after putting pen to paper Fonte expressed his delight having completed the move,
"I am very happy and very excited to sign for Fulham, this is an amazing challenge.
"Fulham is a massive club and I'm looking forward to it.
"I wanted to say a big thank you to Braga who took me in as family and I'm thankful to all the staff and fans for their support during my time there."
Tony Khan commented, "Rui Fonte is a substantial talent, and I'm thrilled to welcome him to the Fulham Football Club.
We have been interested in Rui for a long time. We have great aspirations for the future of this club, and today we have taken another step towards realizing them by adding a striker known for his immense skill and selfless teamwork. COYW!"
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/august/17/fonte-joins
076.gif Welcome Harry Bella, if your too young to get it ask yer dad. 092.gif
Or maybe your Grandad. 092.gif
Woop :)
As Tony says , "Welcome to the Fulham football club." 🙃😂👍🏻
Welcome Rui!!!!!
Another string to Fulham's bow, he has quality.
Welcome son. Hopefully this is the man to take us up.
Congratulations on joining a great club Rui 049:gif
I would suggest as a song (as i'm expecting great things)
Rui, Rui, Rui, Rui, Rui Rui ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh
(to the tune of Kaiser Chiefs' Ruby)
Welcome to the club ru .
When I saw Woodrow go out I was optimistic that a forward was close. Welcome.
Lovely stuff, welcome to Fulham Rui
We certainly kept going back for him with ever increasing offers. Good luck to him. Squad is looking better with our last two signings. Shame about Lucas. But here is hoping that Rui Fonte works well.
Just IMO we have a squad very capable now and xlnt cover all round. It's gonna be hard to keep them all happy.
Quote from: Barrett487 on August 17, 2017, 05:14:57 PM
Congratulations on joining a great club Rui 049:gif
I would suggest as a song (as i'm expecting great things)
Rui, Rui, Rui, Rui, Rui Rui ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh
(to the tune of Kaiser Chiefs' Ruby)
0001.jpeg Welcome Rui
Looks a great asset. Quick,brave and strong and looks fantastic in the air.
Welcome to Fulham Rui.Looking forward to seeing him play.
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
Happy with this.
Think we've paid too much for fonte, but compared to last season we now have 2 strikers which have potential and offer hope.
i know it doesn't tell the whole story but just seen his goals on youtube and this man looks like he may be the missing link AND he is experienced, so hopefully that will benifit the younger players... impressive and the sort of signing i had been hoping for at last!
Quote from: Andy S on August 17, 2017, 06:02:45 PM
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
brilliant signing but I think we are still lacking at the back, claeraly overloaded with midfield and wingers with pace and ability but CB and left back needed...... we are managing, just but I saw we are interested in Bennett who I am assured is a good LB so hopeful of that.
Quote from: nose on August 17, 2017, 06:37:26 PM
Quote from: Andy S on August 17, 2017, 06:02:45 PM
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
brilliant signing but I think we are still lacking at the back, claeraly overloaded with midfield and wingers with pace and ability but CB and left back needed...... we are managing, just but I saw we are interested in Bennett who I am assured is a good LB so hopeful of that.
Sometimes you should just enjoy the moment. Start worrying again tomorrow.
Quote from: nose on August 17, 2017, 06:37:26 PM
Quote from: Andy S on August 17, 2017, 06:02:45 PM
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
brilliant signing but I think we are still lacking at the back, claeraly overloaded with midfield and wingers with pace and ability but CB and left back needed...... we are managing, just but I saw we are interested in Bennett who I am assured is a good LB so hopeful of that.
Yes, centre back and left back to beef up the defensive unit would complete the jigsaw.
He was the Braga captain aswell, and was very well regarded there. His leadership could be very important.
He is also the scorer of goals that we don't score many of, headers, 1 on 1's, 6 yard box scrambles
Yes welcome indeed Rui Fonte.At last a striker with a decent pedigree.Welcome to the great Fulham Football Club.And a massive well done to TK , Ali Mac and Co for getting this over the line.COYW.
Quote from: EastEndWhite on August 17, 2017, 06:43:38 PM
Quote from: nose on August 17, 2017, 06:37:26 PM
Quote from: Andy S on August 17, 2017, 06:02:45 PM
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
brilliant signing but I think we are still lacking at the back, claeraly overloaded with midfield and wingers with pace and ability but CB and left back needed...... we are managing, just but I saw we are interested in Bennett who I am assured is a good LB so hopeful of that.
Sometimes you should just enjoy the moment. Start worrying again tomorrow.
i am enjoying the moment, this is a genuine big deal (I think).
Can't help worrying, you can tell it's in my nature. if we really can sign a couple more of this type watch me change.... sky will be the limit!
Welcome Rui boy...Now go score 20 goals ... 049:gif
As well as all of the above I would like to add that I am liking his humility already. He thanks his previous Club which seems to operate along the same values we embrace. Onwards.
Welcome Rui. Here is hoping for great things.
This is great news, welcome Rui!
Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
Quote from: Barrett487 on August 17, 2017, 05:14:57 PM
Congratulations on joining a great club Rui 049:gif
I would suggest as a song (as i'm expecting great things)
Rui, Rui, Rui, Rui, Rui Rui ooooooohhhhhhhhhhh
to the tune of Kaiser Chiefs' Ruby
...and possibly:
"Rui Rui, oh,oh
Gonna score a goal"
Tune of the Kingsmen's
"Louie, Louie"
Hope you will be very successful Rui!
OMEN
2000/01 Strikeforce
Saha - Boa Morte - Hayles
French - Portuguese - English
PROMOTION
2017/18 Strikeforce
Kamara - Fonte - Ojo
French - Portuguese - English
?????
049:gif
Actually Hayles was Jamaican via Brixton oops
Quote from: Ordar on August 17, 2017, 06:59:51 PM
He was the Braga captain aswell, and was very well regarded there. His leadership could be very important.
He is also the scorer of goals that we don't score many of, headers, 1 on 1's, 6 yard box scrambles
Direct free kicks too apparently
Can he take a penalty ?
Quote from: AlexW132 on August 17, 2017, 09:59:33 PM
Quote from: Ordar on August 17, 2017, 06:59:51 PM
He was the Braga captain aswell, and was very well regarded there. His leadership could be very important.
He is also the scorer of goals that we don't score many of, headers, 1 on 1's, 6 yard box scrambles
Direct free kicks too apparently
Stephjo really wasn't good enough last season but has done well so far this. Norwood takes a mean deadball so if fonte can take a free kick then we have options. He looks great in the box so wouldn't want him taking corners
Looks like a fantastic signing. We all know his brother Jose is quite the player as well.
Will Rui be able to play against Wednesday?
Welcome Rui.
Hope you are very successful at Fulham.
Extremely well spoken, I have high hopes for him - RF9 and AK47 will hopefully form a free flowing relationship upfront. Will we ever focus on playing two strikers, I don't know, but AK47 will probably be shifted to the wing with Ayite out.
Seems a nice bloke and speaks good English.
Enjoyed that interview. Seems very honest. Not just giving cliche answers. From his clips on YouTube he does seem to be great in the box positioning wise. Something we have really missed.
Quote from: Holders on August 18, 2017, 08:28:48 PM
Seems a nice bloke and speaks good English.
Did I detect a hint of London accent in it?
Quote from: Jonaldiniho 88 on August 18, 2017, 09:23:52 PM
Enjoyed that interview. Seems very honest. Not just giving cliche answers. From his clips on YouTube he does seem to be great in the box positioning wise. Something we have really missed.
I really do hope the team selection plays to that strength. We have plenty of players who can get the ball to the box but too many players like Aluko who lose their head when they get in it. Later on Piazon and this new fella could be interesting to watch.
Couldn't resist digging this post out to see the reaction when we signed him. We certainly had high hopes for Rui, still plenty of time for him to fulfill his potential. And no Fulham Stu, he can't take a pen...
Interesting reading. We all love strikers we've never seen play. It was good to see so much positivity about a transfer, though.
As for still time to come good, that's a good thought, but it seems to me that his major problem with us is an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship. That's not likely to fix itself.
Quote from: Andy S on August 17, 2017, 06:02:45 PM
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
And with this post Andy, I blame this seasons misfortunes entirely on you ;)
There is always optimism when we buy a player especially since we waited to buy a forward for so long. The fact that he isn't so much a forward but what they call a number 10, playing deeper and not doing much at all. We are all disappointed now. But we must be enthusiastic every time something new happens. Otherwise everybody will be fed up and moody all the time. Then everybody will be too much like me.
Quote from: JoelH5 on December 05, 2017, 10:49:12 PM
Quote from: Andy S on August 17, 2017, 06:02:45 PM
Great signing we can do the job now barring more injuries
And with this post Andy, I blame this seasons misfortunes entirely on you ;)
He should be sued, I am fuming.
Hes not ready for the rough and tumble of the championship for sure,he needs to get in the gymm and make his frame more solid for next season.
Quote from: hovewhite on December 06, 2017, 09:52:48 AM
Hes not ready for the rough and tumble of the championship for sure,he needs to get in the gymm and make his frame more solid for next season.
Next season?
Quote from: hovewhite on December 06, 2017, 09:52:48 AM
Hes not ready for the rough and tumble of the championship for sure,he needs to get in the gymm and make his frame more solid for next season.
er next season did you say, don't worry me.
Quote from: Lighthouse on December 05, 2017, 11:35:21 PM
There is always optimism when we buy a player especially since we waited to buy a forward for so long. The fact that he isn't so much a forward but what they call a number 10, playing deeper and not doing much at all. We are all disappointed now. But we must be enthusiastic every time something new happens. Otherwise everybody will be fed up and moody all the time. Then everybody will be too much like me.
A little harsh on the self criticism IMHO, Lighthouse. but only a little..... It's pretty normal these days to be fed up and moody about Fulham. Just as long as we all cheer up a bit when we get promotion in May we'll be fine. We've all been here many times before.
If we want to see Fonte's potential then I fear we have to wait for the whole team to select a forward gear. Reverse is now getting bothersome.
Quote from: Holders on August 18, 2017, 08:28:48 PM
Seems a nice bloke and speaks good English.
Indeed, perhaps that is why the transfer fee was so high, can't see any other reason!!
Quote from: SP on December 05, 2017, 06:47:15 PM
Couldn't resist digging this post out to see the reaction when we signed him. We certainly had high hopes for Rui, still plenty of time for him to fulfill his potential. And no Fulham Stu, he can't take a pen...
Just when I was thinking I don't want to criticise Fonte anymore and you bring up this thread again (lol).
Quote from: davew on December 06, 2017, 03:18:01 PM
Quote from: SP on December 05, 2017, 06:47:15 PM
Couldn't resist digging this post out to see the reaction when we signed him. We certainly had high hopes for Rui, still plenty of time for him to fulfill his potential. And no Fulham Stu, he can't take a pen...
Just when I was thinking I don't want to criticise Fonte anymore and you bring up this thread again (lol).
Don't then, you don't have to criticise Fonte, criticise the bloke that keeps selecting him.
Quote from: HatterDon on December 05, 2017, 10:31:50 PM
Interesting reading. We all love strikers we've never seen play. It was good to see so much positivity about a transfer, though.
As for still time to come good, that's a good thought, but it seems to me that his major problem with us is an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship. That's not likely to fix itself.
Surely an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship should have been identified before we put the first of the 9 million notes on the table.
Quote from: filham on December 06, 2017, 06:11:02 PM
Quote from: HatterDon on December 05, 2017, 10:31:50 PM
Interesting reading. We all love strikers we've never seen play. It was good to see so much positivity about a transfer, though.
As for still time to come good, that's a good thought, but it seems to me that his major problem with us is an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship. That's not likely to fix itself.
Surely an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship should have been identified before we put the first of the 9 million notes on the table.
Precisely, I cannot understand the clubs lack of proper clear and concise research, and this is not the first time.
Quote from: filham on December 06, 2017, 06:11:02 PM
Quote from: HatterDon on December 05, 2017, 10:31:50 PM
Interesting reading. We all love strikers we've never seen play. It was good to see so much positivity about a transfer, though.
As for still time to come good, that's a good thought, but it seems to me that his major problem with us is an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship. That's not likely to fix itself.
Surely an inability to deal with the physicality of the Championship should have been identified before we put the first of the 9 million notes on the table.
Exactly right.
At the time of his signing I was dubious just given his height and weight, he was no way cut out to play central striker and wear the number 9 shirt, nor was his scoring stats particularly impressive.
At the time it was announced that T khan would be D.O.F. I feared the worse as as I have stated many times, he and Kline are and were totally unqualified to be given their roles.
IF he is an honourable man Tony Khant should fall on his sword and relinquish the role.
