Fulham have agreed the protracted transfer of Aleksandr Mitrovic from Newcastle United in a deal worth up to £20million.
The Serbian striker impressed on loan at Craven Cottage during their push for promotion and is a key signing for Slavisa Jokanovic having scored 12 goals in 20 games last season.
Jokanovic has been keen to sign Mitrovic on a permanent basis all summer and looks to have finally got his man after the two clubs came to an agreement on Friday.
Fulham FC statement
We are delighted to confirm Aleksandar Mitrovic’s return on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee from Newcastle United.
The popular striker has signed a five-year deal, keeping him at Craven Cottage until at least the summer of 2023, and will wear the number nine shirt.
Mitrovic originally joined the Whites on loan at the 11th hour on deadline day in January, and went on to have a hugely significant impact in our promotion to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old striker proved to be the perfect fit for Fulham, scoring 12 times in just 17 starts to help the team reach Wembley.
Instantly taken to by the fans, the sounds of the 39,000-strong White Wall belting out “Mitro’s On Fire” during the celebrations at the national stadium will live long in the memory.
Such was his popularity, he came fifth in the voting for Fulham’s Player of the Season award, despite spending less than half the campaign in SW6.
Mitrovic began his career in his homeland with Serbian giants FK Partizan, making his professional debut with their affiliate club FK Teleoptik.
Despite his tender age, Mitrovic was top scorer for Partizan’s first team in 2012/13 as they claimed the title, and his form soon attracted the attention of Belgian outfit Anderlecht, who broke their transfer record to sign him in the summer of 2013.
His debut season in Belgium was a prolific one, as he netted 16 times to help his new employers win the domestic title.
Mitrovic was in even better form the following term as he scored 23 goals, prompting Newcastle to bring him over to the Premier League.
As is the case at Fulham, he quickly endeared himself to the St James’ Park faithful with his wholehearted displays, and ended his first season on Tyneside with nine Premier League goals to his name in the Magpies’ ultimately unsuccessful battle against relegation.
He did, however, help the club make an immediate return to the top flight, and he departs Newcastle having netted 17 times.
In the summer of 2013 he was awarded his first cap for Serbia, and he now boasts an impressive record of 17 goals in 40 outings for his country, who he recently represented at the 2018 World Cup, where he scored in the controversial 2-1 defeat by Switzerland.
Speaking at Motspur Park as the ink dried on his contract, Mitrovic told fulhamfctv: “I’m very glad and happy and proud to finally be here and officially become a Fulham player. I’m happy to the moon and back.
“I have love for the fans. They’re amazing fans and I have a really good connection with them.
“This is a big club and last year we made history, we did big things, and I want to continue this. We want to keep making big things, and with all the fans behind us I think we can go far.”
Tony Khan added: “I’m delighted to announce that Aleksandar Mitrovic is back where he belongs at Fulham Football Club! We have reached an agreement to bring Mitro home!
“He was a hero in our run to promotion, and from the moment he arrived at Motspur and began working with us, we’ve always wanted Mitro on a permanent; I told him that after the Final at Wembley, and I’m thrilled to make it official today. Come on Fulham!”