Tottenham have unveiled Joao Palhinha as their new player after completion of his medicals and transfer from German champions, Bayern Munich. Softfootball revealed that Spurs bring Palhinha to White Hart on loan for the season with non-mandatory option to buy for 30m.
Palhinha had earlier denied links to his exit from Munich but the Portuguese had been listed to leave the club by Bayern after only playing 17 times for them last season. He won the German Bundesliga with Bayern.
The former Fulham man returns to the Premier League with a wealth of experience having played quite a number of matches for the Craven Cottagers. Palhinha according to the Premier League data base made 300 tackles in the 2 years he played in the league resulting to 109 tackles more than any other league player in that period.
According to Spurs via their official website, they are glad to have him. They wrote:
“We are delighted to announce the signing of João Palhinha on loan from FC Bayern, subject to international clearance and work permit.
“The 30-year-old Portugal international joins the Club on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season with an option to make the move permanent next summer.
“The defensive midfielder began his professional career at Sporting CP, making his debut for the club’s B team aged 18 before his first team bow followed in January, 2017.
“Across his early years, he also picked up experience on loan at Moreirense, Belenenses and Braga. At the latter, João played an integral role in securing the 2019/20 Taça da Liga.
“Returning to Sporting in 2020, he helped Leões win the 2020/21 Primeira Liga – the club’s first league title in 19 years – while he was also named in the Primeira Liga Team of the Year in recognition of his performances. During his time at Sporting, he also helped the club to two Taça da Liga titles and the Supertaça.
“In 2022, Joao headed to the Premier League, joining Fulham. He quickly became one of the league’s most dominant defensive midfielders and was named Fulham’s Player of the Season after his first campaign. Over his two seasons at Craven Cottage, he made 79 appearances for the west London side, scored eight goals and made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League.
“His consistent high-calibre displays for Fulham earned him a move to FC Bayern in July, 2024, where he was part of the squad that secured the Bundesliga title last season.
“Internationally, he made his senior debut for Portugal in 2021 and has since earned 34 caps for his national side, appearing at UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was part of the Portugal side that lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy in June.”
Watch below as Palhinha speaks as a new Lily White with club media for the first time.
