Fulham defender David Affengruber has detailed how much he’s loving life at the club and living in London.

The Austrian centre-back joined Alvaro Arbeloa’s side in the summer in a €12m deal from Spanish side Elche.

He had established himself as a key player – and firm fan favourite – at Elche with a series of impressive performances since joining from Sturm Graz in 2024.

He’s quickly earning a similar status at Craven Cottage. Indeed, him being brought into the team by Arbeloa has been seen as the catalyst for improved defensive showings over the last few months.

How he sees things so far

He’s been a regular starter since September but insists, he’s not quite accustomed to England’s top flight yet.

“It’s definitely not something I’ve grown accustomed to yet—far from it,” he told Krone.

“Playing in this league is a major dream for many, and it was no different for me. Being able to wear the Fulham FC jersey now makes me very proud. That’s why I try to consciously enjoy every single moment.”

Indeed, he is refusing any suggestions that he’s a guaranteed starter at this moment in time. Instead, he’s still getting used to the intensity in England.

“I wouldn’t call myself a “guaranteed” starter; at this level, you can never afford to rest on your laurels,” he added.

“I know my own qualities, and I have the self-confidence to hold my own in this league. It’s all the more rewarding that my start here has gone so well.

“The pace is high, challenges are fierce, and you barely have a second to catch your breath during a match. It’s constant end-to-end action. But I enjoy this style of football; this level of intensity suits my game perfectly.”

What Fulham signing makes of London

Fulham

Enjoying his football is only one part of the adventure for the Fulham defender. The move has also allowed him and his family to begin a new life in London.

And, continuing his positivity, it seems he’s getting nothing but the best side of London.

“You have everything you could possibly need,” he concluded.

“The city is incredibly diverse, you’re never bored here. We felt at home right from the start and have since settled into our apartment. We’re really enjoying exploring this magnificent city.

“That’s one of the privileges of this profession: you get the chance to live in different countries, discover new cultures, and gain experiences that go far beyond football. I am very grateful for that.”

Sport Witness Analysis: Fulham purchases from Spain

FULHAM’S SIGNINGS FROM SPAIN
Past five years · Recruitment & performance so far
Sport Witness
Five permanent signings  |
Three from Real Madrid  |
One each from Villarreal and Elche
Player Signed from Joined PL apps PL goals How they’ve done
Jorge Cuenca
Centre-back
Villarreal August 2024 24 0 Squad option rather than an established starter. Made eight league appearances in his first season and 15 in his second. Has featured only once in the league this season, with further opportunities coming in domestic cups.
Gonzalo García
Striker
Real Madrid August 2026 10 1 Regular selection, modest scoring return. Has started all ten league games but scored once. Added another goal in the League Cup; his place in the side has been more consistent than his finishing output.
César Palacios
Attacking midfielder
Real Madrid August 2026 8 1 Early contributions, mainly from a supporting role. Five of his eight league appearances have been as a substitute. Has scored in both the Premier League and League Cup, but has yet to secure a regular starting place.
Manuel Ángel
Midfielder
Real Madrid September 2026 1 0 Very limited involvement so far. One substitute appearance in the league and another in the League Cup. Has regularly been named on the bench; too little playing time for a firm performance verdict.
David Affengruber
Centre-back
Elche September 2026 7 0 Quickly established in the starting defence. Started seven consecutive league matches following his debut at Liverpool, including the latest draw with Newcastle. An immediate first-team role, although still early in his Fulham career.
Scope: Men’s first-team signings directly from Spanish clubs between 12 November 2021 and 12 November 2026. Includes players developed in reserve teams, such as Real Madrid Castilla. Players arriving from clubs outside Spain are excluded, regardless of nationality or earlier Spanish experience.
Statistics: Premier League appearances and goals for Fulham since joining, through matches played on 7 November 2026. Substitute appearances are included. Cup contributions are identified separately in the assessments.
Assessment: Summaries reflect playing time, selection and recorded contributions. Four players arrived in summer 2026, so their records remain at an early stage.
Updated: 12 November 2026.
SPORT WITNESS