Fulham

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

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One of the most heart-warming moments of the summer was the announcement that we get one final year of Tom Cairney.

Last week, the club premiered a feature-length documentary recapping our captain's time at the club. After a glitzy event in our new Riverside stand, it was released for free on Friday.

The film is a masterpiece that shows just how much can happen in a decade. Three promotions to the Premier League – two via Wembley. Two relegations from the top flight and now this period of sustainability under Marco Silva.

TC was there for it all - and now we can say thank you properly.

That, coupled with my fear this might be Silva's final year, makes me wonder what the club could achieve to send them off appropriately.

We return from the international break with three games in 10 days that could ultimately determine the course of the season. First up is Leeds United, the club that released Cairney as a young teenager – something his mum makes clear in the documentary she has never forgotten.

Then it is the west London derby with Brentford; a game that needs no narrative to provide any extra spice.

Both sides have their first wins on the board, while we await ours. One or two victories from those and we are right back up the table. Anything less and we remain in the bottom three and the campaign quickly becomes an uphill battle.

Finally, there is Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup. Silva has made it clear that he wants to win Fulham's first major piece of silverware - and the League Cup offers the best chance to do it.

But if we struggle in those two league games then Silva may make changes, which could present an opportunity for our League Two opponents.

I expect Cairney to play a role in all three games. His new deal, while drenched in nostalgia, is still based on footballing merit.

If we do go on to achieve something special this year, Fulham may need to release an extended version of his documentary.

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The dust has just about settled on Fulham's transfer window.

In total, the Cottagers brought in four players for a total of about £35m based on reported initial fees.

Those incomings were:

• Kevin - Shakhtar Donetsk (permanent)

• Benjamin Lecomte - Montpellier (permanent)

• Samuel Chukwueze - AC Milan (loan)

• Johan Kusi-Asare - Bayern Munich (loan)

Heading the other way, Fulham had eight notable outgoings.

These included the permanent exit of Andreas Pereira to Palmeiras, plus the free transfer of Carlos Vinicius to Gremio and releasing of Willian.

Of all the summer incomings at Craven Cottage, who do you think will have the biggest impact?

Rank them here

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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It might seem like ancient history already but Fulham's disallowed goal against Chelsea at the weekend is still upsetting me. The youngster Josh King was denied a fabulous goal on the highest stage. It could also have led to Fulham taking all three points, or at least one.

Each is a reason to be miffed as is the fact that not only did the VAR get it wrong, but after looking at the footage, the referee did not understand what had happened either.

There was no foul as Rodrigo Muniz could not plant his foot anywhere else other than where Trevoh Chalobah's foot happened to be. It was an unfortunate contact, not a careless action or tackle.

Some referees sneer at players as they do not know all the intricacies of the rules, particularly as they change each season. I understand that, though I do not like it one bit.

Players on the other hand get furious with referees who know the rules but do not have enough understanding of the game, and this was a perfect example of that problem.

At least referees body PGMOL tends to issue an apology these days for such errors, though that does not help Fulham and young Josh very much.

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Drew Heatley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The key word around this window has been 'plan'. And, sadly, it looks like we just did not have one.

Two weeks ago a frustrated Marco Silva said: "This season, we had a plan - the plan has fallen through. It is our fault - not active at all."

Fulham owner Shahid Khan and his son, director of football Tony Khan, are notorious for their penchant to bag Deadline Day deals.

This season, they took it even further and turned a two-month window into a one-day opportunity manic dash.

We signed two wingers on Monday - Samuel Chukwueze from AC Milan on loan, and young Brazilian Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk.

On paper, both are good signings and strengthen the squad. But they are not enough - and there is no reason why both could not have been made weeks ago.

Then there were some baffling moves.

We were reportedly in talks to sell Harry Wilson to Leeds. Sell one of our best players, in an area we are actively shopping for, to a direct rival - why? Thankfully, it did not materialise.

We also announced on Tuesday that we have signed 18-year-old Bayern Munich striker Jonah Kusi-Asare, in a loan deal with an option. It is another head-scratcher.

Marco Silva is famously reticent to blood our academy youngsters in the Premier League and yet we are pursuing a player with just two senior appearances.

We have highly-rated academy forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi at Motspur Park, why not give him a chance? Or if we do not rate him highly enough, what is the point?

It has been a frustrating summer, and as the window closes, we sit in the relegation zone.

Our rivals have strengthened while we have stagnated and two deals on deadline day, great value though they may be, have not changed that.

There was no plan. Now, Marco Silva needs a good one to help us compete in these next 35 games.

Rating: 4/10

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We asked for your views on Fulham's record signing of winger Kevin from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: Absolutely delighted with Kevin and Chukwueze, two pacey wingers that can make things happen, and give us extra attacking options. Gutted that the Tyrique George deal fell through, though.

Max: Kevin has amazing potential but he loses the ball too often when trying to beat too many players at once. If Silva can get him to pass more and fit in with the style of play, he could be a superstar for Fulham.

Bryn: Happy to have two good wingers on board, but still concerned by the absence of a centre forward.

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Fulham have signed Jonah Kusi-Asare on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich.

The 18-year-old Sweden Under-21 forward joins with the option of the loan being made permanent.

"I'm really excited," Kusi-Aare said. "It's a fantastic club with great supporters, and I can't wait to get started, work with my team-mates and give everything for the club."

Fulham have completed the record signing of winger Kevin from Shakhtar.

The 22-year-old has signed a five-year deal for a reported £34.6m fee - surpassing the club's current transfer record, which was the initial £27m they paid to sign attacker Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal last summer.

Kevin predominantly plays on the left wing and scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists in 57 matches for the Ukrainian side.

It had been reported earlier on transfer deadline day that Sporting had matched the offer but Marco Silva has managed to get his man.

What do you make of the deal?

Excited for the club-record signing?

Is he what Fulham need?

Let us know

Fulham have completed the signing of AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze.

The 26-year-old Nigeria international finalised the move before the deadline having completed a medical earlier on Monday.

The deal is for a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent in the summer of 2026.

Chukwueze scored eight goals and assisted six times in 70 appearances for Milan in all competitions.

"I'm so happy to be here," Chukwueze said on the move. "It's an amazing club. It feels like home, because I have my people around me.

"I feel at home already, and I can't wait to get started."

Chukwueze joins fellow Nigeria internationals Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey at Craven Cottage.

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Harry Wilson is set to stay at Fulham despite deadline day interest from Leeds.

The 28-year-old had been subject to talks over a permanent deal but the two parties couldn't agree terms.

Fulham are hopeful of completing deals for multiple attackers, including Kevin, Tyrique George and Samuel Chukwueze.

It is unclear but we assume the deal sheet has gone in on at least some of those.

Winger Martial Godo has completed a permanent move to Ligue 1 side Strasbourg.

The 22-year-old joined Fulham from non-league side Margate in 2022 and made his first-team debut later the same year in a Carabao Cup tie at Crawley Town.

He spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Wigan Athletic, registering eight goal contributions in 34 League One appearances.

Godo made played five times under Marco Silva last campaign, making six appearances in total during his Fulham career and registering one assist.

Watch Total Sport's transfer deadline day special for London, focusing on the business done by the capital's Premier League and EFL clubs.

The show offered all the latest updates and analysis for your team's transfer business.

Watch back here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Fulham have agreed a £22m fee with Chelsea to sign winger Tyrique George.

The 19-year-old is expected to agree a five-year contract at Craven Cottage and Chelsea could also benefit in the future from a sell-on clause.

However, the deal also comes after Sporting matched Fulham's club-record £34m offer to Shakhtar for Kevin, with a five-year deal on the table.

Kevin had left open the possibility of moving to another club by not signing the contract on offer and is now expected to move to Portugal.