ALPHONSE AREOLA has joined Fulham on a season-long loan from Pars Saint-Germain.
The French keeper spent last season providing back-up for Real Madrid No1 Thibaut Courtois, 28.
Alphonse Areola has joined Fulham on loan to battle for the No1 jersey
But having returned to PSG, the Ligue 1 champions had no plans to keep him.
It sparked a transfer pursuit with Arsenal said to be interested in the stopper.
But Areola, 27, will instead head to West London, with Fulham having the option to make the deal permanent.
Areola told FFCtv: “I am very happy everything is done. Scott Parker called me and I had a good feeling. He said he really wanted me.
“Fulham is a historic club in London and I have heard a lot about the stadium.
“I hope this season will be a good one for us. I want to bring my energy and do everything for this team to keep us where we belong to be.”
The Frenchman was keen to move on from PSG as he bids to keep his place as France’s third-choice stopper for the European Championships next summer.
It is understood he also favoured a move to the capital, having brought a house in London.
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Marcus Bettinelli, 28, started last season as Fulham’s No1, but was replaced by Marek Rodak, 23.
Emiliano Martinez, 28, is seeking a move away from Arsenal ,having not been guaranteed a starting spot for the upcoming campaign.
But manager Mikel Arteta will not allow the Argentine to go unless he brings in a replacement.
Brentford’s David Raya, 24, is another target to provide completion to German Bernd Leno, 28.
Top ten stars who earned most sitting on bench last year with Man Utd’s Romero bagging £3.6m and Hart getting £2.3m
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
