Championship side Fulham have completed the signing of Brighton & Hove Albion winger Anthony Knockaert. The Frenchman joins the Cottagers on an initial one-year loan with a view to a permanent transfer next season. According to BBC Sport, the fee agreed will remain undisclosed and is likely to go through next summer.
Anthony Knockaert Signs For Fulham From Brighton & Hove Albion
Welcome to Fulham, Anthony Knockaert! ?️#TOTALKNOCKAERT
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 21, 2019
Relegation Recovery
Fulham’s expenditure was well documented last season as they aimed to build a squad capable of Premier League survival. What they did instead, though, was rip apart the team that had got them to that point and replaced them with players that, while good enough on paper, didn’t have the ability to play together.
It resulted in them having their relegation confirmed as early as April 2, just three days after Huddersfield Town, who finished the campaign on 16 points – only five more than Derby County’s record-lowest total of 11.
This time around though, Knockaert is one of just three players (Ivan Cavaleiro’s loan arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Martell Taylor-Crossdale’s free transfer from Chelsea are the others) to arrive at Craven Cottage. With less than two weeks to go until the Football League season kicks off, it’s a far cry from the Fulham of one year ago. There’s every chance that with a player of Knockaert’s ability combined with the majority of the squad that secured promotion in 2017/18 can make a decent attempt this time around.
What They Said
Speaking to Fulham’s official website, Knockaert said: “It feels amazing to be here. I feel really welcome already. It just feels great to get this done and for me to be a Fulham player.
“I can’t wait to get started and obviously help the club achieve its goal.
“The goal is to get back to the Premier League where Fulham belongs. I have come here with the clear intention to get promoted and I want to help in any way that I can.”
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