Bayern sign Portugal midfielder Palhinha until 2028

Portugal midfielder João Palhinha completed his transfer from Fulham to Bayern Munich on Thursday, the Bundesliga record champions said.

Palhinha signed a contract until June 2028 and Bayern are reportedly to pay a fixed transfer fee of €46 million ($49.8 million) for the 28-year-old.

"This is one of the happiest days of my life. I'm now playing for one of the top clubs in Europe. It's a dream come true for me, and I'm very proud of that," Palhinha said.

Bayern were already close to signing the holding midfielder last year but Fulham vetoed the move on transfer deadline day because they couldn't find a replacement.

"We kept at it since last summer and now finally have João Palhinha with us. He will be very valuable for FC Bayern," sporting director Christoph Freund said.

Palhinha is the third new player in Munich, following winger Michael Olise from Crystal Palace and centre back Hiroki Ito from Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart.

Defender Josip Stanisic and forward Arijon Ibrahimovic return from loan spells at German double winners Bayer Leverkusen and Italy's Frosinone, respectively.

Bayern under new coach Vincent Kompany want to rebound from a first season without silverware since 2012. Pre-season training starts on July 15.