Paul Konchesky has joined Fulham from West Ham United for an undislosed fee, believed to be around £2million. The 26-year-old becomes Lawrie Sanchez’s fifth signing of the summer and has commited to a four-year deal at Craven Cottage.
“I am delighted that Paul Konchesky has joined the influx of players that we have managed to bring to Fulham Football Club, ” Sanchez said. “His calibre as a defender has been recognised on the international stage with England and he brings a wealth of Premiership experience to our side.
“At 26 Paul’s best footballing years will be spent at Craven Cottage and I am looking forward to him becoming an integral member of our side next season.”
Konchesky began his career at Charlton Athletic, where he became the youngest first team player in their history aged 16 years and 93 days. He signed for West Ham in July 2005 and helped the side reach the FA Cup Final in his first season. It was also the year he won his only England cap to date.
Following the arrival of Alan Curbishley as the new manager at Upton Park, however, Konchesky struggled to hold down a first team place. He made just four appearances between December and the end of the season.
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“When I knew that Fulham were interested in me I was really pleased,” Konchesky said. “I then met with Lawrie and talked about his plans for the future here and I was really impressed with what he had to say; so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make the switch across London. Obviously the Club has made a few signings this window, so it’s a case of us all settling in and getting on with training, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Sanchez, the former Northern Ireland manager, has already signed Aston Villa pair Aaron Hughes and Steve Davis, West Bromwich Albion striker Diomansy Kamara and Southampton defender Chris Baird in his first summer in charge at Fulham.