It wasn’t just the young players from Real Madrid who Alvaro Arbeloa managed to convince to join Fulham this summer. David Affengruber is another on the list.
The centre-back is willing to admit as much. In fact, he states openly that Arbeloa’s experience as a player was key to his move to Craven Cottage at the end of the transfer window.
The Austrian joined Fulham from Elche in a €12m deal on deadline day, arriving as a last-minute reinforcement to Arbeloa’s defensive options.
He moved to London with a growing reputation from his time at Elche, where he established himself as a star and defensive leader during his two-year spell.
Arbeloa role
Arbeloa will be more than aware of that, given his own time working in La Liga at Real Madrid. Likewise, Affengruber was more than aware of the manager he would be working under.
“I think the coach plays a big role when you do a transfer,” he told Sky Austria.
“For me it was maybe a little more important because I knew what the game idea is and what role I should take on. I took this step because the conversations impressed me from the beginning and the project sounded very exciting.”
| Álvaro Arbeloa — playing career trophies | Team | Wins | Years / seasons |
|---|---|---|---|
| UEFA Champions League | Real Madrid | 2 | 2013/14, 2015/16 |
| La Liga | Real Madrid | 1 | 2011/12 |
| Copa del Rey | Real Madrid | 2 | 2010/11, 2013/14 |
| Spanish Super Cup | Real Madrid | 1 | 2012 |
| UEFA Super Cup | Real Madrid | 1 | 2014 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | Real Madrid | 1 | 2014 |
| FIFA World Cup | Spain | 1 | 2010 |
| UEFA European Championship | Spain | 2 | 2008, 2012 |
| Total senior trophies | Real Madrid and Spain | 11 |
Playing experience
It wasn’t just Arbeloa’s managerial experience that tempted Affengruber into the move either. it was also his playing experience.
The Spanish coach as a defender himself – albeit a right-back – making 238 appearances for Real Madrid alongside 98 at Liverpool. He also picked up 56 appearances for Spain after making his debut in 2008.
That extensive career saw him win the World Cup, two European Championships and two Champions League titles with Real Madrid. He also won La Liga in 2012, two Copa del Rey titles, the Supercopa de España, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
Affengruber is more than aware of the Fulham manager’s history. And he insists it played a big part in his summer decision.
“I think I’ve now met a new style from a coach that I’m very much identifying with,” he added.
“I want to develop myself, to learn every day. The coach plays an elementary role. Having a coach now who was such a successful player is something new to me.
“I appreciate it very much, because our coach has already seen a lot in football and can pass it on to us as a team very believably.”
