Fulham are interested in making Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic the Cottagers’ first signing from the Eagles in 15 years, as Marco Silva plots transfers following promotion.
The Craven Cottage and Selhurst Park natives have seldom done business over the years, with just seven moving from south to west London. Fulham have also not bought a Crystal Palace player since 1989, with stars heading the opposite way marginally more common.
A total of 12 players have left Fulham to join Crystal Palace, with nine making permanent moves. Yet Brede Hangeland was the last to head to Selhurst Park when the defender quit the Cottagers for the Eagles in August 2014 in a free transfer as his contract had expired.
Fulham are interested in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic
Milivojevic may now tread the rarely-taken path this summer, though, as The Athletic note Fulham are interested in the Crystal Palace midfielder. Silva is keen to strengthen his ranks during the off-season after guiding the Cottagers to the Championship title and promotion.
The Eagles’ £13m signing from Olympiacos in 2017 is one of many central options Silva has his eyes on. The Portuguese also admires Braga anchor Al-Musrati as he seeks depth in midfield, centre-half, right-back and out wide ahead of returning to the Premier League.
Fulham may face competition to sign Milivojevic should Silva explore his interest in the 31-year-old Crystal Palace captain, however. Transfer Geeks report the 39-cap Serbia star has reached a verbal agreement to re-join Olympiacos with a three-year deal for €3.5m (£3m).
Crystal Palace are prepared to sell Milivojevic as the midfielder enters the final year of his £55k-a-week contract this summer. Patrick Vieira additionally only fielded him in 20 games in all competitions this season, including just 15 Premier League fixtures and started nine.
So, who are the previous seven to leave Crystal Palace for Fulham that Milivojevic can now follow should Silva look to step up his interest and beat Olympiacos to a summer transfer?
Kuqi last Crystal Palace player to join Fulham amid Milivojevic interest
Shefki Kuqi is the last Crystal Palace player to join Fulham, amid Silva’s interest in signing Milivojevic this summer. The Cottagers agreed a short-term loan for the striker in August 2007, during which Kuqi only managed 10 appearances and failed to score a single goal.
Fulham would let the 63-cap Finland international return to Selhurst Park in mid-season, having only started three Premier League games. Kuqi’s only goal contribution whilst with the Cottagers was an assist against Reading, when Clint Dempsey met his cross to win 3-1.
Crystal Palace had signed Kuqi from Blackburn Rovers a year before his temporary move to west London from south. He would remain with the Eagles until the summer of 2009 when the forward joined Koblenz, having scored 18 and created nine goals over 83 appearances.
Smith sealed Cottagers loan move from Eagles in 1999
Jamie Smith sealed a short-term loan move to the Cottagers in March 1999 until the end of that season. The right-back had joined Crystal Palace from Wolves two years prior and was the first-choice at Selhurst Park. Yet he switched London outfits to help win Division Two.
Smith started nine of his 10 third-tier appearances with Fulham on route to lifting the title and securing promotion. He would then return to Crystal Palace for a further five years to joining Bristol City in 2004, following 162 appearances – the most at one club in his career.
McKenzie made Fulham switch in search of his first-team breakthrough
Leon McKenzie made a temporary switch when joining Fulham on loan from Crystal Palace in 1997. The striker had yet made his first-team breakthrough for the Eagles, and he would only enjoy three appearances with the Cottagers. McKenzie also failed to score any goals.
Crystal Palace offered McKenzie further chances to show his potential before embarking on a loan spell at Peterborough in 1998. He later joined the Posh in a permanent transfer in 2000, following 54 senior outings with the Eagles for five goals across all competitions.
Nebbeling last Crystal Palace star to join Fulham permanently amid Milivojevic interest
Gavin Nebbeling is the last Crystal Palace player to join Fulham permanently for Milivojevic to potentially follow amid Silva’s interest. The Cottagers struck a deal with the Eagles for the South African centre-half in 1989 after starting his professional career in south London.
Nebbeling enjoyed eight seasons at Selhurst Park, including a loan spell with Hereford in 1985/86. He also returned to the Cobblers on loan from Fulham in 1991/92. The defender could not replicate his games played with Crystal Palace after moving across the capital.
Pinkney made short-term loan trip to Fulham in 1973 from the Eagles
Alan Pinkney made a short-term loan trip to Fulham during the 1972/73 season after four years with Crystal Palace. The forward had joined the Eagles from Exeter City in 1969 and would remain with the south London natives until 1974 and sealing a move to Wimbledon.
Byrne continued London tour with Craven Cottage transfer in 1968
Johnny Byrne continued his tour of London sides in 1968 when the centre-forward joined Fulham from Crystal Palace. He had returned to south London in 1967 after spending five years with West Ham, who bought the 11-cap England international from Palace in 1962.
Byrne’s first Crystal Palace career had lasted six years after arriving from Guildford City in 1956. But his Fulham stay would not prove as successful, departing the club after just one year. Byrne moved to South Africa with Durban City for the final four years of his career.
Ronnie Rooke enjoyed pre-WW2 career with Crystal Palace and Fulham
Ronnie Rooke enjoyed a pre-WW2 career with both Crystal Palace and Fulham and would continue playing until 1960. He began his career at Guildford City before a spell at Woking and joining the Eagles in 1933. The forward then joined the Cottagers after three seasons.
Arsenal later signed Rooke from Fulham following the conclusion of the war and called on his services for three years. He then returned to Crystal Palace in 1949 but only stayed for another year, before spells with Bedford Town and Haywards Heath up to his retirement.
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