Fulham have officially appointed Spaniard Álvaro Arbeloa as first-team manager on a three-year contract, tying him to the club until the summer of 2029, marking his first full coaching role away from Real Madrid.

Arbeloa said in statements to the club's official website that he feels great pride in starting this chapter with one of London's oldest clubs, stressing that he is aware of the responsibility placed on him, and thanking the club's owner Shahid Khan and his vice-chairman Tony Khan for the trust they have shown him.

He added: 'I am really looking forward to playing my first match at Craven Cottage in front of the Fulham fans, and I am also excited to start the preparation period with the players next week. I am confident that we will have a wonderful journey together.'

For his part, Shahid Khan explained that Arbeloa convinced the club's management during meetings held last June, stressing that he was the most suitable candidate to lead the team, pointing out that the Spanish coach has great ambition and experience gained from working with the best players and coaches in the world, in addition to his belief in developing young talent and playing attacking football.

In turn, Tony Khan expressed his delight at signing Arbeloa, describing him as a coach with great intelligence and a deep understanding of football, in addition to a leadership personality and a mentality that always strives for success, expressing his confidence in a bright future for the team under his leadership.

Arbeloa's appointment comes after a coaching career that began within Real Madrid's academy, where he led youth teams and won several titles, before taking charge of Real Madrid Castilla, and then moving up to lead the first team last season following the departure of Xabi Alonso.

During his stint with the first team, he led Real Madrid to second place in La Liga, and his most notable achievement was eliminating Pep Guardiola's Manchester City from the Champions League with an aggregate score of 5-1.

Arbeloa also boasts a trophy-laden playing career, having previously represented Real Madrid, Liverpool, Deportivo La Coruña, and West Ham United. He won the Champions League twice with Real Madrid, and with the Spanish national team, he won the 2010 World Cup as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

Read also: The truth about Real Madrid's interest in signing Omar Marmoush