FC Bayern have signed holding midfielder João Palhinha from English Premier League side Fulham on a four-year contract till 2028. Find out more about our new 29-year-old, 1.90-metre-tall Portugal international as we say servus and bem-vindo to Munich…
Sitting in front of the defence
Palhinha’s arrival offers Bayern a physically strong defensive midfielder, but saying he’s just a ‘holding’ midfielder doesn’t quite do him justice. His physical presence with his height, ability to dominate in the air, desire to win back the ball and his aggressive style of play make him awkward for every opponent. His job is to shore things up. The Portugal international also likes to have the ball and do his bit in build-up play. On top of that, he will be an extra asset at attacking set pieces for Vincent Kompany and his coaching staff to consider.
Breakthrough at Braga
João Maria Lobo Alves Palhinha Goncalves, to give him his full name, was born on 9 July 1995 in the Portuguese capital Lisbon. After spells at youth level with Alta de Lisboa and Sacavenense, he joined Sporting Lisbon’s famed academy, which produced the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, at the age of 17. The midfielder would have loan spells away at Moreirense (2015/16), Belenenses (2016) and Braga (2018-2020). It was at the latter, who competed in last season’s Champions League, that Palhinha made his breakthrough.
Champion with Sporting
Palhinha enjoyed two seasons back at parent club Sporting between 2020 and 2022 before Fulham brought him to England. He’s been regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League over the last two seasons, scoring four – sometimes excellent – goals, providing an assist and producing countless brilliant tackles in 33 appearances in 2023/24. He was also named Fulham’s Player of the Season in 2022/23.
Palhinha’s CV so far includes the 2021 league title and Super Cup in Portugal, and two Taça da Liga triumphs with Sporting in 2021 and 2022. It was the third year in a row he’d lifted it, having done so the previous season in the red and white of Braga – colours he will now wear while chasing further trophies with Bayern.
Euro 2020 and 2022 World Cup with Portugal
The 29-year-old represented his country at U18, U19 and U20 level before Fernando Santos handed him his first senior cap for Portugal, featuring in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan on 24 March 2021.
He was also in the squad at the delayed Euro 2020 finals, making two appearances. Although the midfielder didn’t feature in the 4-2 loss to Germany, he did get a chance to take in his new home, the Allianz Arena. Palhinha again went with Portugal to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and came off the bench in all three group games. He remained an unused substitute in the 1-0 quarter-final loss to Morocco. To date he has earned 31 caps and scored two goals for his country.
Euro 2024 in Germany
Even before making Munich his new home, the midfielder spent the summer in Germany as part of Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad that reached the quarter-finals before penalty shootout elimination against France. Palhinha put in some impressive displays as he featured in four of the Seleção’s five games.
Father, dog lover and tackler
After starting out in his hometown of Lisbon and a number of loan spells in his native Portugal, then his first experience abroad in London, Palhinha now gets to sample life in Bavaria’s capital. He’ll be joined by his family, which includes a son as of October 2022. The 29-year-old has a particular love of dogs, who will also be an important part of the Palhinha household in Munich.
A loyal, unrelenting partner for his teammates as he looks to chase down the ball. Dogged might be the apt word to describe how Palhinha will go about his business for Bayern.
More information on Palhinha’s transfer to Bayern here:
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