Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 22/07/26...

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ClickHouse Announced as Principal Partner & Front of Shirt Sponsor of Fulham Football Club

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fulham Football Club is proud to announce ClickHouse, a global technology company specialising in real-time analytics, data infrastructure and AI applications, as its newest Principal Partner and Front of Shirt Sponsor of the Men's First Team.

This multi-year partnership will see ClickHouse take pride of place on the front of the Men's First Team home, away and third kits. ClickHouse will also feature across Craven Cottage, the Club's digital channels, matchday assets and a range of supporter-facing experiences throughout the partnership. The Fulham FC home kit will be released on Thursday 23rd July 2026, keep an eye on the Club's Instagram for updates.

Our collaboration reflects Fulham's continued focus on innovation, performance and delivering engaging experiences for supporters, both at Craven Cottage and across the Club's digital platforms. ClickHouse will not only aid the Club in modernising its practices, together, we'll seek to support our communities in learning about the future of technology and create opportunities to practically develop their competencies, across data and artificial intelligence.

ClickHouse is an open-source database built for speed. When you search something online and get an answer instantly, ClickHouse is likely working behind the scenes. Developers and companies worldwide including Meta, OpenAI, Sony, Tesla, and Visa use and contribute back to ClickHouse, making it a truly global open-source project. As AI becomes more prevalent, ClickHouse has emerged as the database of choice, because AI needs real-time context to give accurate results.

Jon Don-Carolis, Chief Revenue Officer at Fulham Football Club, commented:

"We are delighted to welcome ClickHouse as a Principal Partner and Front of Shirt Sponsor of the Men's First Team. ClickHouse is an ambitious, fast-growing technology company and as Fulham continues to invest in its long-term future, both on and off the pitch, this partnership reflects our shared commitment to innovation, progression and building meaningful connections with supporters around the world."

Aaron Katz, CEO at ClickHouse, said:

"ClickHouse is thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with Fulham Football Club. Both organisations have shared values of high performance, ambition, and excellence. Speed is essential for both: the split-second decisions on the pitch aren't that different from the millisecond decisions our database serves every moment for many of the most consequential companies in the world. That shared foundation is what drew us to this partnership. We're excited to back Fulham's ambitions in the Premier League, on the pitch and beyond."

Fulham Football Club and ClickHouse will work together throughout the partnership to deliver activations that celebrate innovation, performance and the power of real-time insight, creating engaging experiences for supporters at Craven Cottage, across digital channels and within the wider Fulham community.

About ClickHouse
 ClickHouse is a fast, open-source columnar database management system built for real-time data processing and analytics at scale. Engineered for high performance, ClickHouse Cloud delivers exceptional query speed and concurrency, making it ideal for applications that demand instant insight from massive volumes of data. As AI agents become increasingly embedded in software and are generating far more frequent and complex queries, ClickHouse brings a high-throughput, low-latency engine, purpose-built to meet this challenge. Trusted by leading companies like Meta, OpenAI, Sony, Tesla, and Visa, ClickHouse helps teams unlock insights and drive smarter decisions with a scalable, efficient, and modern data platform. For more information, visit clickhouse.com.

About Fulham Football Club:
 Fulham Football Club was formed in 1879 as a local boys' church side, Fulham St Andrew's. The oldest of London's first-class clubs, Fulham FC has a long and colourful history, spanning almost 150 years, and is rightly positioned as London's Original Football Club with its home, Craven Cottage, having hosted matches since 1896 – 130 years ago.

The men's team promotion to the Premier League was first achieved in 2001 and the team remained in England's top division until 2013. Fulham FC reached the final of the inaugural Europa League in 2010, losing to Atletico Madrid 2-1 in extra-time. Recent successes for the men's side have included promotion to the Premier League by winning the Championship Play-Off Finals in 2018 & 2020. The Club also achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2022 by winning the Championship.

Fulham FC Chairman Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League, purchased the Club in 2013. The Chairman's vision for the New Riverside Stand has secured the Club's future at Craven Cottage and increased the capacity to over 28,000 with the stand offering a range of exceptional hospitality. Furthermore, the development of Fulham Pier has provided a world-class destination on the banks of the River Thames to be enjoyed all year round.

Men's First Team:
 Last season, Fulham FC's men's first team finished in 11th position in the Premier League and reached the quarter final of the League Cup. In 2026/27, the side will be led by Álvaro Arbeloa who was appointed Head Coach on 7 July 2026. The side's first fixture of the new 2026/27 Premier League campaign is at home (Craven Cottage) against Chelsea on 24 August 2026.

Women's First Team:
Fulham FC Women's Team completed the 2025/26 campaign in Tier 4 of the FA Women's National League Division One South-East as Champions and were undefeated throughout the campaign. This impressive achievement marked a full two seasons of an unbeaten league run. Head Coach, Steve Jaye and his side will be competing in Tier 3 FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division in 2026/27.




https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721902779/en/ClickHouse-Announced-as-Principal-Partner-Front-of-Shirt-Sponsor-of-Fulham-Football-Club

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Fulham to enter final stages of negotiations for signing – Overcome biggest obstacle
Fulham are ready to make a decisive move to sign Trabzonspor's Chibuike Nwaiwu this summer.

The London club have been pursuing the centre-back for the past few weeks and have made multiple attempts.

Last week, we relayed news of a new bid after Trabzonspor rejected offers of €20m and €28m including bonuses. The Turkish club are demanding €30-35m for the centre-back.

On Monday, Sport Witness covered claims from France that Ipswich Town have a total agreement with Fulham and Issa Diop.

Clear track for Fulham
The Trabzonspor player has already agreed personal terms with the English club and is awaiting a club level agreement.

Issa Diop's impending exit opens the door for the Nigeria international to join the Premier League side, according to Sabah.

Diop's sale allows Fulham to remove the 'biggest obstacle' to signing Chibuike Nwaiwu.

Álvaro Arbeloa's side want to replace Diop with the 22-year-old and now have a clear path to close this operation.

Ready to close signing
The Süper Lig side have officially given their player permission to hold talks with Fulham. This has seen them reach an agreement.

With Issa Diop's sale, Fulham will soon accelerate to finalise the deal for Chibuike Nwaiwu.

The newspaper doesn't mention any figures and only states Fulham are expecting to bring the negotiations with the Turkish club to the final stage.

Trabzonspor are clear that the Nigerian won't leave for less than €30m.

With all parties are in favour of his transfer, Fulham will be optimistic of reaching a total agreement.



https://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-to-enter-final-stages-of-negotiations-for-signing-overcome-biggest-obstacle/

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Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham told to pay £25 million to sign Arne Engels, small discount possible
Several Premier League clubs are expected to enter the market for midfield reinforcements before the transfer window closes, and one of Scotland's most highly rated young players is emerging as a realistic option.

With Celtic preparing for further squad changes, speculation surrounding Arne Engels's future has intensified in recent weeks. The Belgian midfielder is now attracting widespread interest from England and across Europe, with his desire to secure a move expected to accelerate negotiations in the coming days.

According to TEAMtalk,  Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, and Fulham are among the clubs closely monitoring Engels, while Nottingham Forest and Sunderland have also tracked his progress. Despite earlier discussions failing to produce an agreement, Crystal Palace remain firmly in the race and continue to stay in contact with both Celtic and the player's representatives.

Tottenham's interest stems from uncertainty surrounding Lucas Bergvall, who is pushing for a move after the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes significantly increased competition for places in midfield. Although Spurs have yet to progress beyond initial enquiries, Engels remains one of the players under consideration should Bergvall leave before the transfer deadline.

Celtic willing to negotiate despite £25 million valuation
Celtic have informed interested clubs that they value Engels at around £25 million, although sources suggest a deal could ultimately be completed for a figure slightly below that amount. The Scottish champions are aware the midfielder has entered the final 18 months of his contract, reducing their negotiating leverage if they fail to sell this summer.

Engels has also made his intentions clear by informing the Celtic board that he wishes to leave. In an effort to facilitate a transfer, the 22-year-old has changed representation, moving from Wasserman to DWMA as preparations for a summer exit continue. Celtic are expected to intensify discussions after the World Cup as they seek to generate funds for their own recruitment plans.

Premier League and European competition growing
Crystal Palace view Engels as a versatile midfielder capable of strengthening Pierre Sage's squad, while Fulham appreciate his energy, technical quality and ability to operate in multiple central roles. For Tottenham, the Belgian represents a younger replacement should Bergvall depart, fitting the club's long-term recruitment strategy.

AC Milan, Napoli, and Lazio have all expressed interest from Serie A, while Borussia Dortmund are also monitoring the situation. Engels' representatives have contacted several clubs across Europe's top five leagues in an effort to secure the best possible move. With Celtic also anticipating departures for players such as Daizen Maeda, the Scottish champions appear prepared for a busy conclusion to the transfer window.

This transfer has all the ingredients to develop quickly. Engels wants to leave, Celtic are open to selling, and the asking price is reasonable for a 22-year-old with significant potential. Tottenham's interest will likely depend on Bergvall's future, while Crystal Palace may have the clearest pathway to regular first-team football. At around £25 million, Engels represents one of the more attractive midfield opportunities available this summer, particularly if Celtic prove willing to negotiate a slight discount.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/21/crystal-palace-fulham-tottenham-told-to-pay-25-million-to-sign-arne-engels-small-discount-possible/

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Remembering Kevin Keegan at Fulham
Our former manager - and legend of the game - passed away yesterday at the age of 75.

Kevin Keegan, like his close friend George Best, transcended football and, indeed sport.

His arrival at Craven Cottage in 1997 - though you'll read little about it in his many obituaries - was a huge moment for the club. It showed that the new owner meant business - and it was undoubtedly Keegan's presence that persuaded the likes of Chris Coleman to drop down the divisions and sign up to the Fulham revolution.

Keegan's stay only lasted two seasons: the first as Chief Operating Officer, with friend Ray Wilkins as first-team manager, and the second in 1998-99 in direct control of playing matters.

The latter gave the club a 'DNA' of its own, as the popular phrase goes. Keegan the player had been an unstoppable attacking force: under him, Fulham followed suit and created a number of records including most points in a season (101), most wins in a season (31), most consecutive wins (8), fewest defeats (7) and most home wins (19). FA Cup scalps included Southampton and Aston Villa in a run to the fifth round.

We also had 23 individual players on the scoresheet, reflecting that all-out attacking policy: Keegan often played three strikers, having Geoff Horsfield, Barry Hayles, Paul Peschisolido, Paul Moody and Dirk Lehmann at his disposal. As a result, home attendances jumped by over a quarter.

Defenders were given licence to score, too: Kit Symons was second on the list behind Horsfield. Also notable for his contribution was Newcastle loanee Peter Beardsley, still the most skilful player this writer has seen play for Fulham.

'King Kev' gave the club a profile unrivalled in the third tier of football, and gave Fulham their biggest headlines since the mid-seventies 'all-star' team of Best, Rodney Marsh and Bobby Moore. But like all fairy tales it wasn't to last. When national manager Glenn Hoddle made controversial, career-ending comments in an interview with The Times in February 1999, the 'Keegan for England' bandwagon started to roll.

Typically wearing his heart on his sleeve, he claimed for two months that he would be willing to split his time between club and country. On the eve of Fulham's final game against Preston North End, it became apparent he would put his country first.

Captain Paul Bracewell, with no managerial experience, was appointed his club successor - a job that proved beyond him as, indeed, it would most of us. But Jean Tigana didn't need to be told who Fulham were when the approach came, thanks to his former international adversary.

Speaking personally, as a kid who grew up on Merseyside, saw Kevin win the FA Cup for Liverpool at Wembley in 1974 and even at one point had a 'Keegan perm', his arrival at my adopted London club was a jaw-dropping moment. As was literally running into him at Harrods, where we were both attending Simon Morgan's book launch. He was much smaller than I imagined - but, as the banner headlines this week show, the impact of this 'Mighty Mouse' on English and, indeed, world football was huge. We were a small but significant part of that.

RIP King Kev... Our love affair was short and sweet, but FFC will remember you fondly.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/p/remembering-kevin-keegan-at-fulham

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Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, Newcastle United vying for Franculino Dju
Everton, Fulham, Leeds United, and Newcastle United are keen on signing 22-year-old Guinea-Bissau international Franculino Dju from Midtjylland this summer.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Midtjylland will not oppose a departure for Franculino Dju in the ongoing transfer window, thus boosting the prospects of his Premier League suitors. However, the Danish club's asking price remains unknown, though they have recently rejected a bid worth €25 million from the Saudi Pro League. They are eager to eclipse the Danish transfer record with his sale.

How has Franculino Dju become a hot property in the market?
Franculino Dju is the latest African prospect to rise in prominence at FC Midtjylland. Several prodigies have become household names at the Danish club before joining bigger clubs. The 22-year-old, who spent his formative years in Portugal and graduated from the youth division at SL Benfica, has made significant progress since arriving at FC Midtjylland in July 2023.

The Guinea-Bissau international was impressive in the 2025/26 season, amassing 22 goals and three assists across all competitions. The youngster's overall record for Midtjylland is also impressive, having netted 55 goals and provided 13 assists in 107 outings thus far. His progress has piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, and an adventure in the Premier League may be on the cards.

A man in demand
Everton wanted to sign the Bissau native last summer transfer, but the deal did not materialise. The continued interest makes sense, as the Toffees are scouring the market for a striker due to the inconsistent form of Beto and Thierno Barry. Additionally, recent reports have linked the latter with RB Leipzig, forcing Everton to look for a replacement.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United's interest in Franculino Dju is understandable. The Magpies are combing the market for a striker, as Yoane Wissa was dreadful in his debut season after returning from a long-term knee injury. Additionally, Nick Woltemade faces an uncertain future amid his push for a summer exit.

As for Leeds United, Joel Piroe faces an uncertain future at Elland Road, while Lukas Nmecha impressed in fits and starts last season. So, they need a player who can be Dominic Calvert-Lewin's strike partner. As for Fulham, the Cottagers need a striker after parting ways with Raul Jimenez. Additionally, Rodrigo Muniz faces an uncertain future at Craven Cottage amid his links with Flamengo.

With Midtjylland ready to listen to offers for the Guinea-Bissau international in the coming weeks, the Premier League clubs must submit bids worth over €25 million to the Danish giants to test their resolve.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/21/everton-fulham-leeds-united-newcastle-united-vying-for-franculino-dju/

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Sunderland make move to beat Everton, Fulham, Newcastle United in Folarin Balogun race
Folarin Balogun has become a focal point of transfer attention this summer, with Sunderland among several clubs pursuing the AS Monaco striker.

Sunderland are understood to have held talks with the representatives of Folarin Balogun as they explore the possibility of bringing him back to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Arsenal.

As per a report by TEAMtalk, Sunderland are not alone in the chase. Premier League clubs Everton, Fulham, and Newcastle United are all monitoring the American striker's situation, while Nottingham Forest and Leeds United have also been credited with an interest. Sunderland must outbid Everton, Fulham, Newcastle and others to secure the 25-year-old.

Balogun is believed to be valued at around £40 million, a figure that reflects both his age and long-term potential. Although the fee would represent a substantial investment, Sunderland's qualifying for European football has strengthened their appeal to prospective targets.

The Wearside club have already shown they are ready to compete aggressively in the transfer market. Club officials are reportedly keen to add proven attacking quality, with Balogun viewed as a player capable of leading the line at the highest level. The interest may also have stemmed from Brian Brobbey's links with Manchester United and other bigwigs.

Balogun came through Arsenal's academy, then spent a loan spell at Stade de Reims before his permanent move to AS Monaco, where he has continued his development and established himself as one of Ligue 1's most dangerous forwards.

Where will Balogun end up?
International appearances for the United States have elevated his profile, with pace, movement and finishing attracting attention across Europe. Those qualities have made him an attractive option for sides seeking a reliable goalscorer capable of making an immediate impact.

Everton and Fulham are also in the market for attacking reinforcements ahead of the new season, while Newcastle remain attentive despite pursuing multiple options in the transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Nick Woltemade. Sunderland, though, have moved quickly, opening discussions with Balogun's camp to position themselves strongly before formal negotiations begin.

Whether Sunderland can convince Balogun to join remains uncertain, particularly given the number of Premier League clubs interested in securing his services. Financial considerations, European football, and the player's own ambitions are all expected to play significant roles in determining his next destination, though AS Monaco's £40 million asking price is justified in the wake of his impressive performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Sunderland have signalled their ambition early, but whether they can outbid rivals for Balogun will depend on financial capacity and the player's own ambitions. The coming weeks will determine the outcome.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2026/07/21/sunderland-make-move-to-beat-everton-fulham-newcastle-united-in-folarin-balogun-race/

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AS Monaco prepared to sell USMNT star Folarin Balogun as Fulham make approach
Fulham have made an approach to sign AS Monaco star Folarin Balogun this summer, and there are signs a deal could be possible.

Although Balgoun controversially had a red card overturned, after an intervention from President Donald Trump, Balogun impressed for the USMNT at the World Cup, picking up three goals and one assist in four appearances, and his side made it to the round of 16 stage.

Once lauded as "incredible" by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, the American also caught the eye for Monaco last season, picking up 19 goals and five assists in 43 matches across all competitions, following up a debut campaign in which he found the net four times in 13 Ligue 1 games.

Ex-Monaco boss Sébastien Pocognoli has suggested the level of the 25-year-old's performances stems from his effort behind the scenes, saying: "I think his level of performance is pushing all of the players in his sector of the pitch. He is simply reaping the rewards of his hard work. He is ambitious, focused, professional... in the end, you reap what you sew."

As such, despite failing to make the grade at Arsenal, the striker could now be ready for the chance to prove himself in the Premier League, and a number of English sides are in the race for his signature.

Fulham now in contention to sign Folarin Balogun
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Fulham have now made an approach to sign Balogun, with Monaco prepared to sanction a departure for £40m this summer.

However, Shahid Khan & co may have to fend off rival interest from the likes of Nottingham Forest, Everton, Leeds United and Fulham, who are also credited with an interest.

Why Fulham need to sign Folarin Balogun

Raul Jimenez's departure	Raul Jimenez's three-year stint at Craven Cottage came to an end earlier this summer, which could be a blow for Arbeloa. The Mexican scored 26 Premier League goals for the Cottagers since his arrival in the summer of 2023, including nine last season, but he has now joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, exacerbating the need to sign a new striker.
Performances for Monaco and USMNT	Balogun could be a worthy replacement, having proven himself for club and country. The Brooklyn-born striker has 12 goals to his name in 31 caps for the USMNT, while a record of 45 goals and 14 assists in 109 Ligue 1 appearances across spells with Monaco and Reims is also impressive.
Lack of goals last season	Fulham ran out of steam in their pursuit of Europe last season, and a lack of goals could be partly to blame. Under the helm of Marco Silva, they mustered up just 47 goals, which was fewer than Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, who both remained candidates for relegation until a very late stage of the season.

Aside from signing a new striker, the Cottagers are also eager to strengthen out wide, and former winger Martial Godo, who now plays for RC Strasbourg, has emerged as a target.



https://www.footballfancast.com/as-monaco-folarin-balogun-usmnt-fulham-transfer-approach/

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New contract for Amissah

The Club is delighted to announce that Samuel Amissah has signed a new contract with Fulham.

Samuel has penned a new three-year deal at Fulham, keeping him at the Club until the summer of 2029, with a Club option to extend by a futher 12 months.

Amissah said: "I'm really happy to continue my journey here at Fulham. I'd like to thank everyone at the Club; the Owners, the coaches, and my teammates for all the support they've given me to help me reach this point.

"Most importantly, I'd also like to thank my family, who have always been there for me every step of the way. I'm grateful for the opportunity and can't wait to get started."

The highly-rated England U19 international joined Fulham at the age of nine. He has represented the Three Lions at every level from U16 to U19, with 26 youth caps to his name.

While still yet to make his First Team debut, Samuel was first named in a senior squad in an away fixture at Tottenham Hotspur in December 2024. He has since been named in seven further matchday squads for First Team fixtures.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/july/21/new-contract-for-amissah/

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The boys of 98/99 remember Kevin Keegan

Following the sad passing of Kevin Keegan, we asked members of his title winning 1998/99 Fulham side - and a couple of long-serving staff members - for their tributes to the footballing legend.

Neil Smith
Kevin was fantastic person. He came in with fantastic enthusiasm, believed in everybody, gave you the belief that you were better than everybody else. Made everybody feel really welcome, family as well. He'll be a sad loss. He was a fantastic player, he was my boyhood hero as a child, and then an absolute legend of a manager and a person when he came through the door at Fulham. I loved every minute of going into training and playing for Fulham Football Club under Kevin. He'll be greatly missed.

Philippe Albert
I can't find the words to describe the loss of a fantastic player, great manager and a wonderful human being.

Chris Coleman
Kevin had unlimited energy for football, and people in general! He had an energy around him that affected everyone in a positive way. I'll be forever grateful to Kevin for kickstarting my career when it had stalled. Like he did with everyone, he made me believe!! Thank you, Gaffer!! ❤️

John Salako
Devastated to hear the sad news. Kevin was a boyhood hero of mine and it was a dream to sign for him at Fulham. I nearly joined him at Newcastle. A true footballing legend in every sense, a true superstar. He was always smiling and had an incredible passion for the game. RIP King Kevin 🙏🏼

Wayne Collins
Kevin Keegan was one of my childhood heroes, so when I had the opportunity to play for him at Fulham I didn't have to think twice about it. When I arrived at Fulham, Kevin immediately made me feel very welcome and personally took time out to give my wife and I a tour of the ground. This was a very nice personal touch that my wife and I still talk about today. On the training ground, he would often take me and other players for 1v1 coaching, which was quite rare for a manager to do in those days. He was always pushing us to be better players all the time. I will always remember him as a manager who interacted very well with the players. He was almost one of the lads and he always had time for the supporters. Nothing but respect. RIP Gaffer.

Simon Morgan
So sad about Kevin. Obviously a great football man, England legend. Managed us at Fulham to the title in 98/99 – a wonderful season on the field. We had a friendly in Hamburg at the start of that season, and he was treated like absolute royalty. Wherever he went he was surrounded by the Hamburg fans, who remembered him as such a fantastic player for them, years before. And a mark of the man, he came back to Fulham for my testimonial match, spent time with all the fans, my family. Just a very special man off the field, and inspirational on it. Rest in peace, KK.

Paul Moody
He was the childhood hero of everyone growing up, everyone down the local park pretended they were Kevin Keegan – and then I was fortunate enough to have him as my manager at Fulham. When he took over, it was like a circus at the Club – the cameras were everywhere, just because of him. He was such a big personality, and a massive, massive legend in football. I think he's probably the biggest player that we've ever produced in the UK. You look at George Best, Bobby Charlton, but I think he tops all of them. And when he came to Fulham, it was a bit of a whirlwind, it seemed unreal.

He was very approachable. I remember when he came in, I asked what he wanted us to call him, and he said: "Call me what you like – call me Kev, call me Boss." It's funny because I was the only one who called him Kev, nobody else would! He was a likeable manager. His philosophy was, 'we'll score more goals than you.' I think that showed in our play – we played attacking football, okay we'd concede a few goals, but we'd win 90 per cent of the matches. Overall, my time with him was surreal.

Kevin Betsy
I was named after him, as he was an idol to my parents. Sometimes, people say never meet your hero, you will be disappointed, but in Kevin Keegan's case I was never disappointed and he played a lasting legacy of inspiration and mentoring to me.

He was a wonderful man, a world star who went into management. His humility to take care of a young kid and give me a chance in professional football, I will forever be grateful. A caring man on every level, a man that gave you his time even though he had achieved so much in his own career, every day he wanted to make you better and realise your potential. Most of all, a man that gave you huge belief and self-confidence to perform, even when perhaps you didn't have the belief in yourself.

So fortunate to have met my hero and call him Gaffa on a daily basis. Thoughts and best wishes to all the Keegan family at this difficult time.

Dirk Lehmann
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Kevin Keegan. A true football legend. Thank you for everything you gave to the game. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. RIP.

Rufus Brevett
Really, really sad news that reached us yesterday about Kevin Keegan passing away. Football has lost an absolute legend, an icon of the game. I remember Queens Park Rangers informing me that they'd accepted an offer and that someone from Fulham would be giving me a call. (QPR had just been relegated from the Premier League, and Fulham were in League One at the time). Five minutes later, the phone goes, and it's Kevin Keegan on the other end. I did not expect that it would be Kevin Keegan who would be calling me. The first thing he said to me was, "Hello Rufus – I'm from that big club round the corner from your little club." Now with that, I started laughing, but he said: "You can laugh now, but in three/four years time, you won't be laughing." And I turned round, drove to Craven Cottage and met the great man. And I think within five minutes of speaking to him I was like, 'Yeah, I have to play for this guy.' He was a brilliant man, he was an unbelievable football player, and as a manager he was just brilliant, someone that you want to play for. And for me, he was someone that I didn't want to let down. If I had a bad game, I just felt as though I'd let Kevin Keegan down. Massive, massive loss to football. RIP, Gaffer.

Jaki Stockley
Kevin was the first manager that I was PA for. I am very grateful to him because he guided me and taught me many things. He gave me very wise words that I still carry with me and rely on today. On a Friday after training, he would ask me for the fan letters that needed signing, and he sat for an hour ringing a few people up to say hello. Quite special. Players, supporters and staff were all very important to him. An absolute professional.

Mark Maunders
In early 1998 I was in line for the job of Communications Manager, my dream job, and the second interview was to take place in the iconic Cottage with the legend of English football, Kevin Keegan. He put me at ease, the chat went well and halfway through he told me that I had the job! From that point forward he encouraged and included me, giving me belief and confidence. And his energy and ambition drove the Club forwards, laying the groundwork for how we see it today.

As a footnote, it was Kevin who recognised that training at the very public Bank of England in Roehampton was not ideal for a top-level club, and so it was he who led the search for our permanent home and identified the University of London Sports Ground, which we now know as Motspur Park.

Kit Symons
I was in training one day, on the back of scoring four times in my last five matches – I was on a real unbelievable scoring run. My team was on the outside, Frank Sibley was refereeing the game, and Kevin used to just walk around, watching. He was walking behind me, and he goes, "You're playing well, son, playing well." I was a bit cocky at the time: "Cheers, boss – yeah, I suppose I am!" And he's like, "You're having a bit of a purple patch..." And he kept walking behind me... I went, "Yeah, yeah, I suppose I am, really." And he said, "I had a purple patch once..." Keeps walking. I went, "Oh, really?" And he said, "Yeah, mine lasted 17 years." And he just kept walking. For me, it was hilarious, and it proper like put me in my place. Basically, he's been European Footballer of the Year twice, I'd scored seven or eight goals in bloody League One, you know what I mean? So, he's put me in my place, but in a really funny way, and I thought it was brilliant. I pissed myself. I told all the lads, and they were all laughing, and obviously taking the piss out of me. But I thought it was brilliant from him, how he did it, as like a man-management thing. And I went on and scored 11 in the end, so it worked, kept me going, and kept me focused.

Cookie phoned me up before I signed, and put me on to Kev. I was going to sign for someone else in the league higher, and for more money. And he convinced me it'd be a good idea to sign for Fulham – a league lower, and less money – and it was probably the best thing I ever did. So, that's the power of persuasion of the man, as well.

Maik Taylor
With my young family settled in Southampton, I had no intention of dropping down two divisions to play for another team. It only took a five minute conversation with Kevin as Fulham manager to convince me I had to play for him and the Club. So enthusiastic and optimistic, it gave energy to everyone around him. An absolute icon in football and, incredibly, an even better man in person. RIP King Kev! ❤️

Paul Peschisolido
When I heard that Kevin wanted to sign me, it was incredibly flattering. Growing up in Canada with very limited football coverage, on TV Kevin was the only player I knew. So much so, my dad bought me Patrick Keegan 7 boots, which I adored. After meeting him to discuss the project at Fulham, I was sold. He was such a down to earth man, someone you really wanted to give everything for. He was inspirational and brilliant at galvanising a group of lads. The football world has truly lost a great man. RIP Boss.

Barry Hayles
Having Kevin sign me, having been a top striker and a top player, it was a privilege to come to Fulham. He made me feel like I was on top of the world. He paid a lot of money for me, but he said to me, "Just go out there and play your normal game. I've seen what you can do." He made me feel like I was here to stay, and that I was a part of this growing squad, this growing team.

In my first week of being at the Club, he loaned me his car. It was a black, 7 Series BMW that he loaned me for four days, because my car was in the garage. That's the kind of manager, the kind of person, he was. Absolute legend.

Paul Bracewell
The first time I came across Kevin was in 1992, when he signed me for Newcastle – I was his first signing. He was like everybody says he is – very honest, very genuine, just a great person, really. Everybody wanted to play for him. And then when he left Newcastle and went to Fulham, I followed him down, so I had a great relationship with him. Used to travel back on the train with his wife Jean every Saturday, whether we were home or away. Just had a great relationship with him, you know? Just a top, top person, really.

In terms of football, I obviously learned an awful lot. Very, very honest, very open, and he just had that sort of, I don't know, you can't describe it, a factor that everybody went out knowing that you were the best player and the best team, and you were always going to win. He had that infectious personality.

Geoff Horsfield
Loved my time under KK. Coming from more or less Non-League at Halifax, to Fulham Football Club, opened my eyes immensely. Chris Coleman, Philippe Albert, Peter Beardsley, Paul Bracewell, Kit Symons... Absolute privilege for him to sign me and think so much of me.

I can always remember a story, when I'd only been there about two or three weeks. We were away somewhere, we'd been playing cards until about 11.30. I was rooming with Steve Finnan, and Steve – the model professional that he is – ordered over the phone a tuna mayonnaise sandwich on brown bread, and a pint of water. I ordered cheeseburger, chips, and two pints of coke, not knowing that our orders went straight through to the manager's room. It never came up, and then the day after we had a team meeting, he pulled me in front of everybody and said I could get to the top, but I've got to come out of my Non-League mentality and be a bit more professional. I got a little bit embarrassed, but it's the mentoring and the man-management, though – absolutely fantastic.

He'd take us on Mondays/Tuesdays away from the other lads for shooting drills, and he was just fantastic. You felt 10 feet tall when you played for him, so I loved my time under him, and rest in peace, Gaffer. It upset me when I saw it. He meant a lot, because for me to get to the career that I did, and get to the Premier League after leaving Fulham, after he got the England job, he was just awesome, and he'll be sadly missed.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2026/july/21/remembering-kevin-keegan/

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Fulham reportedly sending £24m transfer bid for Southampton's Charles
PREMIER League outfit Fulham are reportedly preparing a £24million bid for Saints and Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles.

 Charles, 22, scored dramatic late winners against Arsenal and Middlesbrough for Tonda Eckert's side towards the end of last campaign.

The latter secured Saints a place in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, before they were booted out of the game due to the Spygate saga.

 Failing to obtain promotion to the Premier League made it a certainty that the St Mary's side would sell players to balance the books this summer.

Manchester City academy graduate Charles is seen as one of the club's most saleable assets, with extraordinary value despite not regularly starting.

The Daily Mail report that Fulham are preparing a £24m bid for the promising talent, who excelled on loan at Sheffield Wednesday previously.

Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa is said to be keen on signing Charles, who joined Saints in 2023, and talks are expected to progress in the coming days.

 It follows Leeds United's unsuccessful attempts to capture him, with three reported bids being knocked back by Saints as they hold out for bigger offers.

Charles returned to Staplewood for pre-season last week, later than most players, following extended leave following international involvement in June.

As a result, he was not part of the strong squad that beat National League neighbours Eastleigh 3-1 in the first friendly of pre-season on Saturday.

Charles has one year left on his Saints contract, but technical director Johannes Spors previously said the club retain a one-year extension option.



https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/26300263.fulham-reportedly-sending-24m-transfer-bid-southamptons-charles/

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Fulham Preparing To Lodge Large Bid For Shea Charles
With Leeds United said to have cooled their interest in the Southampton midfielder, it seems that Fulham are still keen on securing his services and that they are about to try and make Southampton an offer they can't refuse.

The Daily Mail are carrying the story that Fulham are about to send Saints a written bid for Shea Charles of £24 million.

They say that so far any offer Leeds are said to have made has fallen far short of the £25 million plus add ons that Southampton are demanding.

The Yorkshire club are claimed to have made 3 bids but none of them have got near the mark and that Fulham are set to step up their interest and seal the deal,

So if Fulham do offer £24 million plus add ons then it will test Saints resolve and they will have to decide whether they will take the money and run or hold on for more.

They will hope that Leeds will start to get serious and indeed perhaps Crystal Palace and the ante will be upped.

Although Charles only has a year left on his current deal, Johannes Spors has previously indicated that the club do have a one year extension option at the end of that deal, so effectively he has two years left.

That will mean that they will either want to take the profit now with a permanent deal matching their valuation, or failing that they will keep him rather than accept a loan offer.

It seems that the club would prefer the former as they do need to sell a player or two to enable them to freshen up the squad in other areas and Charles is the best hope of raking in a decent transfer fee.



https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/66462/