Saturday Fulham Stuff (01/02/14)...

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Transfer news: Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov joins Monaco

Fulham have confirmed striker Dimitar Berbatov has joined Ligue 1 side Monaco.

The 33-year-old's move on transfer deadline day comes after the Cottagers brought in Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou.

Berbatov has scored five goals in 19 appearances for Fulham this season and 19 in 51 since joining on a free transfer from Manchester United on deadline day in August 2012.

He had been linked with a return to former club Tottenham and their north London rivals Arsenal this month but he has instead left the country for the south of France.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9144469/?

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Most Expensive Transfer in Greek Football History Finally Sealed

"Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Greek international Konstantinos Mitroglou, on a four-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed sum, which will see the player at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2018." These were the initial words of Fulham's official announcement regarding Kostas Mitroglou's transfer, welcoming the player to the Cottagers "family" and to the English Premier League.

This is the most expensive transfer of a Greek player ever in Greek football history. In addition, the 15 million euro transfer fee paid by Fulham for the Greek striker is also the second highest amount in Europe for the winter transfer window, after the 18 million paid by Zenit Football Club for the Brazilian player Rondon. Fulham reached agreement with both Olympiacos and Mitroglou. Greece 's Olympiakos will receive 15 million euros and Mitroglou a lucrative contract with a salary of 2.5 million euros per year.

Until the time that the Lilywhites officially announced the deal with Mitroglou, many believed that the transfer was on the verge of collapse as West Ham had shown significant interest in the Greek striker. However, Mitroglou wished to continue his career at the West London club as he had already made a commitment to Fulham and wished to honor this.

The cottagers are hoping for great things from Mitroglou, particularly in their efforts to avoid relegation. The challenges that lie ahead for the Greek striker are great but the potential is there for further transfer deals. Many English cubs were monitoring the player's progress and his name was on the shortlist of a number of Premier League managers.

Mitroglou said he is delighted to be part of Fulham and stated that he is ready to seize the opportunity and that he looks forward to working with the club's manager. "I'm very happy to be in the Premier League, and especially with Fulham which is a major club," Mitroglou said on the official website. "I'm here because I want to fulfill the club's targets and I want to help them achieve their goals. I was really flattered that they wanted me so badly and I'm really happy to be here."

"I'm also really happy to be working with René Meulensteen. I know that he has a lot of experience in football. He explained to me how he works and I am really looking forward to working with him."

"I also spoke to Giorgos [Karagounis] before I came here and he told me only good things about Fulham."

His former club, Olympiacos, in an official announcement thanked Mitroglou for his services to the club and wished him the best of luck for the next step in his career.


http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/01/31/most-expensive-transfer-in-greek-football-history-finally-sealed/?

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Berbatov Departs

The Club can confirm that Dimitar Berbatov has joined AS Monaco on a permanent transfer.

Everyone at Fulham would like to thank Dimitar for his contributions over the season and a half he spent at Craven Cottage.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/berbatov-departs?

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Senderos Exits

The Club can confirm that Philippe Senderos has joined Valencia CF on a permanent transfer.

The Swiss international signed for the Whites in the summer of 2010, making 68 appearances in all competitions.

The Club would like to thank Philippe for his service and wish him well for the future.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/senderos-exits?

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Transfer news: Phillippe Senderos leaves Fulham to join Valencia


Phillippe Senderos: Leaving Fulham for Valencia

Phillippe Senderos has joined Valencia from Fulham on a permanent deal, according to Sky sources.

The Swiss centre-back, whose contract at Craven Cottage was due to expire at the end of the season, was a target for Italian club Lazio.

But he has opted to sign for La Liga side Valencia with just hours remaining before the transfer window was due to close.

Senderos has made 68 appearances for Fulham after joining the west London club from Everton in June 2010.

He has previously played for Arsenal and AC Milan and has 50 international caps for Switzerland.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9144548/?

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Philippe Senderos' Fulham exit sees Johnny Heitinga join from Everton


Johnny Heitinga could be on his way to Fulham (Picture: Getty)
Philippe Senderos' departure from Fulham is has paved the way for Johnny Heitinga to join the Cottagers from Everton.

The Dutchman has been widely expected to leave the Toffees this month, with Fulham emerging as his likely destination today, despite interest from the likes of Galatasaray, Roma and West Ham.

And now a deal to take him to west London on a free transfer has been completed, thanks to the departure of Senderos.


Philippe Senderos has left Fulham (Picture: Getty)
The former Arsenal defender, who joined the Cottagers in 2010 on a free transfer, has completed a permanent move to Spanish side Valencia, with January's deadline day drawing to a close.

The Swiss international made 68 appearances for Fulham in his three-and-a-half years with the club.



http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/31/philippe-senderos-fulham-exit-paves-way-for-johnny-heitinga-to-join-from-everton-4286288/?

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Fulham bring in Mitroglou, Holtby and Heitinga

(Reuters) - Fulham signed Greece striker Kostas Mitroglou from Olympiakos Piraeus for an undisclosed fee on transfer deadline day on Friday and allowed Dimitar Berbatov to join Monaco on loan.

The Londoners also brought in Germany midfielder Lewis Holtby on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Dutch international defender John Heitinga from Everton while Switzerland centre back Philippe Senderos moved to Valencia on a permanent deal.

"The club is delighted to confirm the signing of Mitroglou," the Premier League's second-bottom team said on their website.

The Greek, known to Olympiakos fans as 'Mitrogoal' and 'Pistolero' (The Gunslinger), was with the Athens club for seven years and has given up the prospect of a Champions League tie against Manchester United next month to move to London.

"It was an amazing offer both for Kostas and the club and we wish him all the best in his career," said Olympiakos coach Michel. "We expected to lose him at some point because of the great season he has had so far this year but not so soon."

Mitroglou signed a contract extension a month ago that committed him to Olympiakos until 2017.

He became the first Greek to bag a Champions League hat-trick with a treble at Anderlecht in October and has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances for club and country this season.

BERBATOV LOAN

The 33-year-old former Bulgaria international Berbatov, who has scored four times in 18 league games this season for Fulham, has joined Ligue 1 title challengers Monaco to cover for their Colombia striker Radamel Falcao's long-term injury absence.

Holtby, 23, has moved to Fulham on loan for the rest of the season. He joined Spurs from Schalke 04 a year ago but was unable to establish a regular first-team place.

Holtby scored his only league goal with a spectacular long-range strike at Craven Cottage when Spurs won 2-1 at Fulham last month.

Heitinga has moved to Craven Cottage initially until the end of the season. The 30-year-old, who joined Everton in 2009 from Atletico Madrid, chose Fulham "because the feeling was good".

"The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton," he said of Saturday's home game.

Fulham, who are 19th and in the relegation zone in the Premier League, also said Northern Ireland defender Aaron Hughes had joined Championship (second tier) club Queens Park Rangers.

(Reporting by Steve Tongue, Graham Wood and Justin Palmer, editing by Tony Jimenez and Ken Ferris)


http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/01/31/uk-soccer-france-berbatov-idUKBREA0U1UI20140131?rpc=401&feedType=RSS&feedName=sportsNews&rpc=401

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Fulham v Southampton

By John Roder
Match of the Day commentator
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Craven Cottage Date: Saturday, 1 February

TEAM NEWS

New recruit Lewis Holtby could make his Fulham debut but striker Kostas Mitroglou signed after the registration deadline and loanee William Kvist lacks match practice.

John Arne Riise (hamstring) and Fernando Amorebieta (knee) are doubts.

Saints are hopeful Rickie Lambert will be back after a hamstring problem,
Fit-again midfielder Victor Wanyama is poised for his first action in two months, having been an unused substitute against Arsenal midweek.

MATCH PREVIEW

Fulham will desperately be hoping that history is on their side this weekend. The home side in this fixture usually doesn't lose, and Fulham desperately need points to move away from the relegation zone.

The fact that Southampton were disappointed not to take three points from their midweek draw with Arsenal shows the extent of the task that Rene Meulensteen's side face at Craven Cottage, especially given Fulham's form at the back.

I was in Wales for Match of the Day on Tuesday night to witness Fulham lose at Swansea, when they reached the unwanted milestone of conceding 50 goals in the Premier League this season. Fulham started well at the Liberty Stadium, and should perhaps have scored in the first half, but they were undone by two second-half goals that took deflections on their way in.

The last time the Cottagers kept a clean sheet in the league was way back in early December, with a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa.
Southampton will surely fancy doing the double over the London side, having secured a 2-0 victory when these sides met back in October.

However, Saints have stuttered of late, with only a couple of victories in their last 12 Premier League fixtures, and a host of off-field distractions.

That said, they will be hugely encouraged by their midweek display against the Gunners. I saw them sweep aside Cardiff with ease on Boxing Day, and if the visitors repeat that sort of form it could be a torrid afternoon for the home defence.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
Southampton won the corresponding fixture 2-0 in October - climbing to third in the table in the process.

Victory in this fixture invariably goes to the home side. Southampton have only won twice in 28 league matches at Fulham, while the Cottagers only have one league win from 29 trips to the south coast.

Saints last won a league game at Fulham in October 1947.

Fulham
Fulham have won just three of their last 15 Premier League home games (W3, D1, L11).

Their midweek defeat at Swansea was their fourth in their last five league matches, in which they have conceded 15 goals and scored just three.

That defeat brought up their half century of goals conceded in the league this season - an average of 2.17 per game.

The Cottagers have only drawn one league game this season - a Premier League low. Saints, in contrast, have drawn eight.

They have now gone eight league games without keeping a clean sheet, the longest run in the top division.

Under Rene Meulensteen, Fulham have let in 26 goals in 10 league games, more than they conceded under Martin Jol this season (13 games, 24 goals).

Southampton
Southampton have only won two of their last 12 league matches (D4, L6).

They have also won just one of their last eight Premier League away games (W1, D4, L3).

Saints have lost 10 points from winning positions this season. Only Sunderland, Stoke and West Ham have lost more.

Southampton's last two matches have ended 2-2; only one team in Premier League history (Liverpool - September 2002) has drawn three successive matches 2-2.

Rickie Lambert has scored in each of the last two Premier League meetings between the sides.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25892225

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Heitinga Joins Fulham

Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce that Holland international John Heitinga has signed from Everton, initially until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old centre-back joined Everton in 2009 from Atletico Madrid, making 140 appearances for the Merseyside club.

Heitinga came through Ajax's youth academy and made his senior debut for the Amsterdam club in August 2001 against Feyenoord. He went on to make more than 200 appearances during seven successful seasons at Ajax before moving to Spain.

Heitinga played in all of Holland's matches en route to and including the Final of the 2010 World Cup where they lost 1-0 against Spain after extra-time. He has made 87 appearances for his country and has scored seven goals.

He was voted Dutch Footballer of the Year in 2008 and was recognised by Everton supporters as their Player of the Year in 2012.

"I'm really pleased to get the move completed and I'm looking forward to playing my first game," Heitinga told fulhamfc.com. "I think it's a good move for myself and I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates. I've spoken already with René Meulensteen and I think it's the right club for me.

"This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium. It's not one of the biggest but it's got something special.

"Of course, I know Maarten Stekelenburg very well – we were players at Ajax together and we played many years in the national team together.

"I chose Fulham because the feeling was good and what was also important was the conversation between me and René. He knows exactly what he wants and I know exactly what I want. The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/january/31/heitinga-joins-fulham?

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Fulham defender Philippe Senderos swaps Craven Cottage for the Mestalla with Valencia

The 28-year-old Swiss' contract in West London was up in the summer but he has opted to jump ship six months early


Done deal: Swiss defender Senderos leaves Fulham on a permanent contract
Clive Brunskill
Philippe Senderos has completed a permanent move from Fulham to Valencia.

With a host of new faces in on deadline day the Swiss defender has swapped Craven Cottage for the Mestalla.

The 28-year-old's contract in West London was up in the summer but he has opted to jump ship now.

Serie A side Lazio were credited with having an interest, but La Liga is now his destination.

Our man David Maddock reports that Everton defender Jonny Heitinga is still in talks with Fulham over a late switch.



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfer-news-philippe-senderos-3100026#ixzz2s3ihlUSQ
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Fulham too good for the Championship and won't panic in relegation fight insists Damien Duff

"We deserve to stay up - we're a Premier League club. There's plenty of time for us to get out of trouble" says winger before Southampton clash


Never again: Fulham's Duff was relegated with Newcastle in 2009
Steve Bardens
Damien Duff says his Fulham side don't belong in the Championship.

The Cottagers are fighting for Premier League survival after a disastrous first half of the season that has left them in the bottom three.

Duff was part of the Newcastle squad relegated in 2009, following his own goal in a crucial basement battle against Aston Villa on the final day of the campaign.

And the experienced Irishman is desperate not to suffer the same fate with the west Londoners five years on.

He said: "We deserve to stay up - we're a Premier League club - but at the end of the day you need to do it out on the pitch.

"We're in the bottom three, but we're not going to panic. The season doesn't end on Saturday, it ends on 11th May.

"There's plenty of time for us to get out of trouble. We've got some good men that are going to fight until the last minute."

Fulham take on Southampton on Saturday afternoon boosted by the loan signings of midfielders Lewis Holtby (Tottenham) and William Kvist (Stuttgart), although Olympiacos striker Kostas Mitroglou completed his move too late to be eligible.

But with three of their next four matches against Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, Duff admits the visit of Mauricio Pochettino's men is crucial if the Cottagers are to escape the drop.

He added: "Saturday will be tough. It's a must-win and another cup final for us because we need the three points.

"But we have to look at it that we're at the Cottage. Being at home, you always try to use that as an advantage and if we can get back to playing football like we have done, then we'll give them a good game."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-vs-southampton-damien-duff-3098262#ixzz2s3j8hzwe
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Fulham Sign Johnny Heitinga

Fulham have signed Everton centre-back Johnny Heitinga.

Heitinga was desperate for first team football with the world cup fast approaching.

Heitinga signed on a Free transfer initially until the end of the season when he will look at his options.

"I'm really pleased to get the move completed and I'm looking forward to playing my first game," Heitinga told fulhamfc.com. "I think it's a good move for myself and I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates. I've spoken already with René Meulensteen and I think it's the right club for me.

"This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium. It's not one of the biggest but it's got something special.

"Of course I know Maarten Stekelenburg very well – we were players at Ajax together and we played many years in the national team together.

"I chose Fulham because the feeling was good and what was also important was the conversation between me and René. He knows exactly what he wants and I know exactly what I want. The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton."



http://myevertonnews.com/fulham-sign-johnny-heitinga/?

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Transfer news: Fulham sign Everton's Dutch defender John Heitinga

Fulham have completed the signing of Everton centre-back John Heitinga on a free transfer.

The Dutch international has been looking to secure a move away from Goodison Park throughout the January transfer window.

He rejected a move to West Ham, and had looked set to move abroad with Galatasaray and Roma both expressing an interest in his signature.

But Fulham have persuaded him to move to Craven Cottage.

Heitinga spent four-and-a-half years at Everton, making 140 first-team appearances and scoring five goals.

His final outing for the Blues came in the FA Cup fourth-round win at Stevenage, the centre-back coming off the bench to head Everton's third goal in a 4-0 triumph.


http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11671/9144641?

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Johnny Heitinga joins Rene Meulensteen's Fulham revolution on free transfer from Everton

Johnny Heitinga has completed his move to Fulham on a free transfer.

The former Everton man has signed with the Cottagers after four-and-a-half years with the Toffees.

The versatile 30-year-old signs on the dotted line initially for the remainder of the season.

"I'm really pleased to get the move completed and I'm looking forward to playing my first game," he told the club's official website.

"I think it's a good move for myself and I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates. I've spoken already with Rene Meulensteen and I think it's the right club for me.

"This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium.

"It's not one of the biggest but it's got something special."



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfer-news-johnny-heitinga-3100097#ixzz2s3kAkVrL
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Transfer news: John Heitinga leaves Everton to join Fulham


Dutch defender signs deal until the end of the season

Fulham have confirmed the signing of the Dutch defender John Heitinga from Everton, initially until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old moved to Everton in 2009 from Atletico Madrid, but has been unable to break into the Toffees' side this season. He joins Lewis Holtby as a new addition at Craven Cottage. Dimitar Berbatov and Philippe Senderos left the club earlier on deadline day.

Heitinga told Fulham's official website: "I'm really pleased to get the move completed and I'm looking forward to playing my first game. I think it's a good move for myself and I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates. I've spoken already with Rene Meulensteen and I think it's the right club for me.

"This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium. It's not one of the biggest but it's got something special.

"Of course I know [Dutch team-mate] Maarten Stekelenburg very well – we were players at Ajax together and we played many years in the national team together.

"I chose Fulham because the feeling was good and what was also important was the conversation between me and Rene. He knows exactly what he wants and I know exactly what I want. The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton."


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-john-heitinga-leaves-everton-to-join-fulham-9100585.html

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Defender Leaves Everton for Fulham

It has taken 18 months, but the oft rumored departure of John Heitinga has finally been completed. The Dutch international has moved to Fulham on a free transfer in search of more playing time.

Though his contract still had 6 months left on it, Everton was willing to let the defender go in search of regular first-team football ahead of the World Cup in Brazil this summer. Though fans will be disappointed in not getting a fee for him, Heitinga was on massive wages and his departure frees up money for some new contracts for a few current stars.

In four and a half seasons at the club Heitinga appeared in 115 matches and had several fantastic seasons for the Toffees. He was one of the clubs best players during  2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons. His decline came in 2012 after he was the odd man out with Sylvian Distin and Phil Jagielka. Though he made 26 appearances almost none of them were pretty.

This move also appears to indicate the end of Everton's business in the transfer window. There is always hope of some more moves, but based on comments from Roberto Martinez, it seems unlikely.


http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/1/31/5366328/everton-transfer-news-john-heitinga-fulham?

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Heitinga moves to Fulham

John Heitinga has left Everton to join fellow Premier League side Fulham on a free transfer until the end of the season.

The Dutchman was desperate to leave Everton before the transfer window slams shut on Friday night, as he searches for first team football.  A move to West Ham was rejected earlier in January, while a deal seemed agreed with Galatasaray only for the Turkish club to pull out at the last minute.

Now Fulham have snapped up the 30-year-old initially until the end of the season, ending a four and a half year spell at Goodison Park.

Heitinga started his career with Ajax, before moving on to Spain with Atletico Madrid in 2008 for a fee close to €10 million. The Dutchman only spent a season in Spain before moving to England with Everton.

After being named Everton's player of the season in 2012, Heitinga lost his place in the first team, and has only made one Premier League appearance this season.

Speaking to Fulham's official site, Heitinga said, "I'm really pleased to get the move completed and I'm looking forward to playing my first game. I think it's a good move for myself and I'm looking forward to meeting my teammates. I've spoken already with René Meulensteen and I think it's the right club for me."

"This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium. It's not one of the biggest but it's got something special.

"Of course I know Maarten Stekelenburg very well – we were players at Ajax together and we played many years in the national team together.

"I chose Fulham because the feeling was good and what was also important was the conversation between me and René. He knows exactly what he wants and I know exactly what I want. The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton."


http://www.football-oranje.com/heitinga-moves-to-fulham/?

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Fulham land Heitinga and push through late deals for Tunnicliffe and Cole

Fulham have completed the signing of Everton defender John Heitinga on a free transfer.

The 30-year-old Dutchman spent four-and-a-half years at Goodison Park, amassing 140 first-team appearances and scoring five goals.

However, Heitinga's playing time has been restricted to just five appearances this term and has been allowed by Everton manager Roberto Martinez to join Fulham on a permanent deal.


Defensive boost: Fulham added John Heitinga to the squad on deadline day
'I'm really pleased to get the move completed and I'm looking forward to playing my first game,' Heitinga said.

'I think it's a good move for myself and I'm looking forward to meeting my team-mates.

'I've spoken already with Rene Meulensteen and I think it's the right club for me.

'This is a club with a great history and I always enjoyed playing at Craven Cottage, I really like it as a stadium. It's not one of the biggest but it's got something special.'


Leaving it late: Ryan Tunnicliffe completed his move to Fulham late on deadline day
Heitinga moves to west London initially until the end of the season and will hope to impress enough to earn a call-up to the Holland squad for the World Cup.

The defender came through Ajax's fabled academy before moving to Atletico Madrid in Spain and on to the Premier League with Everton.

'Of course I know Maarten Stekelenburg very well - we were players at Ajax together and we played many years in the national team together,' Heitinga said of the Fulham goalkeeper.


Signing on: Larnell Cole has also joined Fulham
'I chose Fulham because the feeling was good and what was also important was the conversation between me and Rene.

'He knows exactly what he wants and I know exactly what I want. The main thing is to keep Fulham in the league and hopefully the boys will start with a win against Southampton.'

Fulham also completed deals for Manchester United duo Larnell Cole and Ryan Tunnicliffe before the window shut.

Tunnicliffe, who has been on loan at Ipswich this season, said: 'I've known Rene (Meulensteen) since I was nine and there was talk when he took over that he was interested in me, so it's just picked up steam this week really and I'm here now and glad to sign.

'Rene didn't have to sell Fulham to me, for a start they're in the Premier League and I want to play at the highest level. I know René and I know he's a great coach so I'm just excited to work for him. Fulham's a great club anyway – they've been in the Premier League for a long time now and I just can't wait to get started.

'I want to play at the highest level I possibly can and, to me, that's the Premier League because it's the best league in the world. I want to play as many games as I can and improve as a player because I'm only young, and we'll see where we go from there.'



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2549784/John-Heitinga-joins-Fulham-Everton.html#ixzz2s3lc7sPo
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Fulham show attacking intentions with £11m deal for Kostas Mitroglou
• René Meulensteen lets Dimitar Berbatov leave for Monaco
• Fulham also bring in Lewis Holtby and John Heitinga

René Meulensteen completed the £11m signing of the Olympiakos striker Kostas Mitroglou, along with the loan of Lewis Holtby from Tottenham Hotspur, on a frenetic deadline day at Fulham. Themanager also signed John Heitinga on a free transfer from Everton, while he raided his former club Manchester United for the young midfielders Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole.

Meulensteen will make Mitroglou the focal point of his team, having allowed Dimitar Berbatov to leave for Monaco. Berbatov's Fulham contract was due to expire in June and he has signed with the French club for the remainder of the season. Monaco have lost the striker Radamel Falcao to a serious knee injury.

Berbatov' has cut a disgruntled figure in recent weeks, with his agent, Emil Dantchev, having made it clear at the beginning of December that the Bulgarian wanted a move. The 33-year-old has endured a frustrating season, in contrast to his productive 2012-13 campaign for Fulham, and he felt that he needed a fresh challenge.

Fulham have been lifted by their arrivals, who supplemented the earlier loan purchases of Clint Dempsey and William Kvist from Seattle Sounders and Stuttgart respectively, with Mitroglou the headline signing. Fulham have only ever paid more for one player – Steve Marlet, the striker, who cost £11.5m from Lyon in 2001.

Mitroglou, 25, has been in prolific form this season, with 14 goals in 12 league matches for Olympiakos and three in five Champions League ties, all of them coming in the group phase win at Anderlecht, when he became the first Greek player to score a hat-trick in the competition.

Mitroglou, who has eight goals in 28 appearances for his country, has swapped the continuation of Olympiakos' Champions League adventure - they face Manchester United in the last 16 - for Fulham's relegation battle. The club sit second from bottom in the Premier League and are saddled with comfortably the worst goal difference in the division.

Mitroglou said that he consulted Fulham's Greece midfielder, Giorgos Karagounis, before he signed on a four-and-a-half-year contract. "I'm here because I want to fulfil the club's targets," Mitroglou said. "I was really flattered that they wanted me so badly. René Meulensteen explained to me how he works and I am really looking forward to working with him."

Holtby struggled under Tim Sherwood at Tottenham and he has been attracted by the prospect of regular football at Fulham in his favoured central attacking midfield role. The German, who scored the winning goal for Tottenham at Fulham in December, trained with his new teammates for the first time on Friday and he could make the squad for Saturday's visit of Southampton.

Meulensteen, who also moved Philippe Senderos to Valencia on a permanent deal and brought in Heitinga, the Holland centre-half, to bolster a defence that has been shaky all season. He also gave the centre-half, Aaron Hughes, to Queens Park Rangers for the rest of the season, to repay Rangers' gesture in agreeing to terminate Adel Taarabt's season-long loan at Craven Cottage. Meulensteen did not want Taarabt any more and his Rangers counterpart, Harry Redknapp, did not want him back. Taarabt has signed on loan for Milan.

Meulensteen has taken Tunnicliffe, who has been on loan at Ipswich Town, and Cole on permanent contracts. The pair are under-21 players and so do not take up places on the club's 25-man senior squad list.


http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/jan/31/fulham-11m-kostas-mitroglou?

[WhiteJC]

 
United Duo Sign

Fulham Football Club is delighted to announce two further midfield signings for an undisclosed fee, from Manchester United.

Ryan Tunnicliffe and Larnell Cole join on deals until the summer of 2017, with options for a further year.

Tunnicliffe, 21, spent time on loan at Peterborough United, Barnsley and, most recently, this season at Ipswich Town. He made his first-team debut for Manchester United in the 2-1 League Cup win against Newcastle United in 2012.

Cole, 20, arrived as a schoolboy at Manchester United before progressing through the academy. He made his senior debut for United when coming on as a second-half substitute in a League Cup win against Leeds United in 2011. Cole scored a brace in the 3-2 victory against Tottenham Hotspur in last season's Under-21 Final.

The highly-rated young players have worked with Fulham Head Coach René Meulensteen during his time at Old Trafford and they have both represented England at youth level.

Fulham's staff travelled to Manchester to conduct Cole's medical so he was unavailable for photos or comment but, on completion of the deal, Tunnicliffe told the official website: "I've known René since I was nine and there was talk when he took over that he was interested in me, so it's just picked up steam this week really and I'm here now and glad to sign.

"René didn't have to sell Fulham to me, for a start they're in the Premier League and I want to play at the highest level. I know René and I know he's a great coach so I'm just excited to work for him. Fulham's a great club anyway – they've been in the Premier League for a long time now and I just can't wait to get started.

"I want to play at the highest level I possibly can and, to me, that's the Premier League because it's the best league in the world. I want to play as many games as I can and improve as a player because I'm only young, and we'll see where we go from there."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/february/01/united-duo-sign?