By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Fulham Football Club have officially appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach on a three-year contract running until the summer of 2029.
The 43-year-old replaces Marco Silva at Craven Cottage following the Portuguese manager’s departure to Benfica.
“It is a real honour for me to be embarking on this new stage at Fulham,” Arbeloa said in a club statement.
“I am really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere at Craven Cottage with Fulham fans and beginning pre-season with the players next week.”
Arbeloa moves to London after leaving Real Madrid, where he was promoted from the reserve team to replace fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso, now Chelsea manager, as first-team coach in January and guided the Spanish giants to a runners-up finish in LaLiga.
He returns to England, where he previously played for Liverpool and West Ham United, after a decorated career that includes two Champions League titles with Real Madrid and a 2010 World Cup winners’ medal.
“I am delighted that Alvaro has accepted the challenge to push Fulham forward, and I have no doubt that our squad, staff and fans will resonate with what his appointment means for the present and future of our Club,” Fulham owner and president Shahid Khan said.
“Alvaro is, by his own admission, very ambitious. He has spent quality time around the best players, clubs and methods in the game, experiences which will serve him well here at Fulham.”
Fulham finished 11th in the Premier League last season and open the new campaign at home to rivals Chelsea on August 24.