Former Galacticos: 15 ex-Real Madrid players who made the switch to English top-flight teams

A long-standing transfer route between Real Madrid and the Premier League has been revived by Fulham's summer signings of two players from the Spanish giants, with several high-profile players having made the switch over the past three decades, resulting in some of the competition's most memorable success stories, as disclosed by a 13-man list on the EPL website on Tuesday.

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As the 2026/27 football season in the EPL approaches, Fulham have bolstered their squad by signing 22-year-old striker Gonzalo García and 21-year-old attacking midfielder César Palacios from Real Madrid, with García joining on a reported £34 million deal and Palacios arriving for a reported £8.5 million.

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García progressed through Real Madrid's academy and helped the club win the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga, while Palacios rose through the Spanish club's youth ranks, and both players will now reunite with former Real Madrid academy coach and current Fulham manager Álvaro Arbeloa at Craven Cottage.

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Meanwhile, reports continue to link Vinícius Júnior with a move to Arsenal, and if the transfer is completed, the Brazil international could become the 16th player to join a Premier League club directly from Real Madrid, according to PUNCH Online.

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One of the notable players to leave Real Madrid for the Premier League is Mesut Özil, who joined Arsenal in 2013 in what was then a club-record deal, and went on to become one of the Premier League's leading creators during his eight years in north London.

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Özil helped the Gunners win three FA Cups under Arsène Wenger, and his success is an example of the impact that players from Real Madrid can have in the Premier League.

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Claude Makelele is another example, having joined Chelsea in 2003 and transformed the club's midfield, helping the Blues win two Premier League titles, two League Cups, and the FA Cup while redefining the defensive midfield role.

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Martin Ødegaard also made a significant impact, joining Arsenal in 2021 and later captaining the club to its first Premier League title in decades, becoming one of the division's standout midfielders.

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However, not all players from Real Madrid have achieved success in the Premier League, with Ángel Di María's spell at Manchester United in 2014 lasting just one season, despite moments of quality, as he failed to settle before joining Paris Saint-Germain.

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James Rodríguez's stay at Everton in 2020 was also inconsistent, despite bringing international pedigree and star quality to Goodison Park, before he departed for Qatar.

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Raphael Varane's time at Manchester United has been affected by injuries, but he helped the club lift the FA Cup and League Cup, while Casemiro became a key figure in the club's FA Cup and League Cup triumphs and remained a fan favourite during his four seasons.

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Michael Owen's return to England with Newcastle in 2005 was disrupted by injuries, and he experienced relegation before later winning the Premier League with Manchester United.

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Rafael van der Vaart quickly became a fan favourite at Tottenham, finishing as Spurs' top Premier League scorer in his debut season with 13 goals, after joining in a deadline-day move in 2010.

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Mateo Kovačić initially joined Chelsea on loan before signing permanently in 2019, and won the UEFA Champions League with the Blues before moving to Manchester City, where he added Premier League and FA Cup winners' medals.

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Iván Campo spent six Premier League seasons with Bolton, earning a reputation as a versatile and intelligent midfielder, after joining in 2003, while Davor Šuker struggled to establish himself as a regular at Arsenal in 1999.

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Fernando Morientes helped Liverpool win the FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, although he did not fully replicate his Spanish form during his 18-month stay, after joining in 2005.

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Fulham's latest additions from Real Madrid, Gonzalo García and César Palacios, add another chapter to a transfer pathway that has brought some of world football's biggest names to England, with outcomes ranging from legendary success to unfulfilled promise.

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García, a 22-year-old Spanish striker, joined Fulham on a five-year contract, having come through Real Madrid's academy, scored 13 goals in 51 senior appearances, and won the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga with the club, with Fulham reportedly paying around £34 million for him.

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César Palacios, a 21-year-old Spanish attacking midfielder, also signed a five-year deal, having made several senior appearances for Real Madrid after progressing through the club's youth ranks, with his transfer reportedly worth about £8.5 million.

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The duo will reunite at Craven Cottage with new Fulham head coach Álvaro Arbeloa, who previously coached both players in Real Madrid's academy and reserve setup.