Fulham have completed the signings of goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga and winger Harry Wilson. Gazzaniga joins on a free transfer after leaving Tottenham Hotspur at the end of last season, while Wilson has completed a £12 million move from Liverpool.
Paulo Gazzaniga and Harry Wilson Join Fulham
Permanent Move for Wilson
Wrexham-born Wilson joined the academy at Liverpool in 2005, meaning this permanent move away from the Reds brings a 16-year spell to a close. Despite being highly rated, he never made a Premier League appearance for the club, instead appearing once each in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
He did, though, garner top-flight experience on loan at Bournemouth in the 2019/20 season, scoring seven times in 31 league games and impressing along the way.
Wilson has found the majority of his success in the Championship. He was one of the loan stars of Frank Lampard’s Derby County team in 2018/19, helping them to the play-off final after the brilliant semi-final success against Leeds United. He also scored a stunning free-kick in the Carabao Cup win away at Manchester United.
The 24-year-old spent last season in the second tier, scoring seven goals in 37 games for Cardiff City.
None of these loan moves were enough to force his way into the first-team at Liverpool. Wilson’s favoured position is on the right of a front three, where Mohamed Salah is at the top of the pecking order. The Reds also have Xherdan Shaqiri to play there and the long-term successor, currently, is seen to be teenager Harvey Elliott, leaving Wilson with no opportunities to impress.
This move to Fulham can finally allow him to settle at a club where he has the ability to be one of the top players there.
On his move, Wilson said: “I’m delighted to sign for Fulham. From my first chat with the gaffer on the phone, I loved what he was saying and felt that he understood me as a player, and that played a massive role in me coming here.
“The ambition of the club to get back into the Premier League appealed to me as that’s where we all want to be. I’m hoping I can come here, have a good season and help get the club back into the Premier League.”
Gazzaniga to Provide Competition
Argentine goalkeeper Gazzaniga joins the Cottagers on a free transfer after leaving Spurs at the end of last season. He had been very much a back-up choice for Spurs but did get a handful of appearances in the 2019/20 season when Hugo Lloris was out injured.
Overall he featured 37 times for Spurs after joining from Southampton in 2017. His arrival at Fulham will see him provide competition for Marek Rodak’s number one spot alongside fellow goalkeeper Fabri.
Gazzaniga said of the move: “Fulham is a great club. I love the challenge and I think this is an excellent opportunity for me.
“When they spoke of the project here at Fulham the decision was easy. The Championship is a very strong league and I am looking forward to getting started.”
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