Just hours after their Premier League final day agony, Liverpool gave their fans a lift by confirming the acquisition of Fulham youth academy graduate Fabio Carvalho.
The Reds narrowly lost the Premier League title to Manchester City on Sunday, but have responded quickly by signing 19-year-old Carvalho to a five-year contract. The Fulham starlet will cost Liverpool £5 million plus £2.7 million in add-ons.
Jurgen Klopp has been after the Portuguese under-21 international since January, but after negotiating personal terms and even passing a medical, he was unable to seal the deal. The Championship sensation will now join his new team for pre-season training and a tour of the Far East after an agreement in principle was reached last month.
Liverpool’s full statement reads: “Liverpool FC can confirm Fabio Carvalho will join the club this summer. The 19-year-old forward will officially complete a switch to the Reds on July 1.
“Carvalho played a key role in Fulham’s promotion back to the Premier League in 2021-22, scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists in 36 games as Marco Silva’s side won the Championship title.
“He had featured for the Cottagers in the top flight on four occasions in the previous season, marking his first Premier League start with a goal away at Southampton in May 2021.
“An exciting talent born in the Lisbon region of Portugal, Carvalho made his debut for Portugal U21s in March of this year having previously represented England at youth level
“Carvalho came through the academy ranks at Fulham and went on to make 44 senior appearances in total for the London club.”
Carvalho will provide more depth in attack. The youngster, who was capped by England at under-18 level before electing to join Portugal’s under-21s, can play as a winger or an attacking midfielder.
