Premier League 2024-25: Fulham Signs Defender Jorge Cuenca From Villarreal on Four-Year Contract
Born in Madrid, Cuenca came through the youth ranks at local side Alcorcón, where he became their youngest-ever player before moving to Barcelona at the age of just 17. After featuring regularly for the club’s B team, he was handed his first senior start in a 1-0 Copa del Rey victory in October 2018.
Mumbai, August 4: Fulham have announced the signing of Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal for an undisclosed fee. The defender has agreed a four-year deal, keeping him at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2028, with a Club option to extend by a further year. Cuenca, 24, primarily operates as a left-sided centre-half but has also lined up at left-back on numerous occasions for Villarreal. Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool, Club Friendlies 2024: Fabio Carvalho, Curtis Jones, Konstantinos Tsimikas Score as The Reds Register Dominating Win Over Erik ten Hag’s Side.
“I’m really, really happy. I'm so proud to be here. I'm so happy to be here and to play for Fulham. The Club is a historical club and Craven Cottage is an historical stadium. I prefer Fulham because of the city, the Club, obviously the historical stadium, and I want to play in the Premier League,” said Cuenca to FFTV.
Born in Madrid, Cuenca came through the youth ranks at local side Alcorcón, where he became their youngest-ever player before moving to Barcelona at the age of just 17. After featuring regularly for the club’s B team, he was handed his first senior start in a 1-0 Copa del Rey victory in October 2018.
A multi-million euro move to Villarreal followed two years later, though he went straight on loan to Almeria, whom he helped reach the Segunda División Play-offs and Copa del Rey Quarterfinals, where they were narrowly beaten by Sevilla. After three goals in 37 appearances for Almeria, Cuenca was a La Liga regular the following term, playing 32 times while on loan with Getafe to help them preserve their top-flight status.
“I'm happy to welcome centre-back Jorge Cuenca to Fulham! He's a talented young player, we expect that he'll continue to develop under Marco's great coaching, and believe that he'll be a great asset to the squad! Come on Fulham!,” added the Club’s director of football, Tony Khan.
After impressing away from home, Cuenca was integrated into the Villarreal setup in 2022/23, playing every minute of their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign which saw them progress to the knockout stages. But it was last season when he became a mainstay in the Villarreal backline, missing just a handful of games as they finished eighth in La Liga and reached the Europa League knockouts. Real Madrid 1-2 Barcelona, Club Friendlies 2024: Pau Victor Scores Brace as Blaugrana Win First El-Classico of New Season.
Cuenca has been capped by Spain up to Under-21 level, whom he helped get to the Semi-Finals of the 2021 European Championship, where he was named in the Team of the Tournament.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2024 09:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).