TRANSFERS: PALACE, FULHAM SIGN PLAYERS

The Premier League duo of Crystal Palace and Fulham have signed new players in the last 24 hours. The two London teams have made one addition each in the quest to boost the squad ahead of the new season. Crystal Palace have completed the signing of CheickDoucoure, while newly promoted team Fulham have signed Welshman Neco Williams.


Malian midfielder Doucoure has signed a five-year deal as the new Palace player until the end of the 2026/27 season. The 22-year-old was announced as a Crystal Palace player on Monday in a deal worth around £20m. On his transfer to Palace from French Ligue 1 club Lens, Doucoure said he’s very happy and joyous to be a Palace player. The African star said he’s proud to bea new player for the Eagles.

Doucoureplayed 34 times for Lens last seasonas they finished seventh in French Ligue 1. Lens impressed a lot of French football fans, but they finished four points off an European place. On the signing of Doucoure, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said his arrival is another statement of intent for the Eagles. He added that his transfer points to the desire to improve the squad at the disposal of manager Patrick Vieira this summer.

Newly promoted Premier League side Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Welsh international Neco Williams. The 21-year-old is the sixth signing at Forest this summer after he completed a permanent move to the club from Merseyside giants Liverpool. He came through the youth system at Liverpool and went on to make 33 appearances for the Reds. The Welshman spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham. Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham are the three newly promoted teams in the Premier League. Fulham won the English Championship, while Bournemouth were runners-up. Nottingham Forest won promotion via the Championship playoffs.