Craven Cottage will feel a little emptier next season as Fulham fans prepare to say goodbye to Brazilian duo Willian and Carlos Vinicius — two players who, in their own ways, left lasting impressions on SW6.
In a club announcement today, Fulham confirmed that both players will depart at the end of June when their contracts expire, along with 11 others including academy graduates and fringe squad members. But supporters can breathe a sigh of relief as offers have been made to keep captain Tom Cairney and fan-favourite Kenny Tete — two of the most respected and consistent players in the squad.
Goodbye, Wizard Willian
Willian’s exit tugs at the heartstrings. Since arriving in 2022, the former Chelsea and Arsenal man brought elegance, experience, and unexpected longevity to a Fulham side finding its feet back in the top flight. At 35, he was still producing moments of magic — none more so than his thunderbolt against Nottingham Forest that won Fulham’s Goal of the Season in 2022/23.
Over three years, he racked up 10 goals, 7 assists, and endless admiration for his class on and off the ball. Whether it was his curling strike against Leeds, or silencing Stamford Bridge with a goal on his return to Chelsea, Willian proved that age is just a number — and gave Fulham fans countless moments to savour.
Vinicius: The Cult Hero
Then there’s Carlos Vinicius — a player who never stopped grafting and who gave fans one of the most euphoric nights in recent memory: that header against Chelsea in January 2023. A 2–1 win. Under the lights. Our first over them in 17 long years. For that alone, his name will always carry weight among Fulham faithful.
Though used more sparingly, “Vini” brought energy and unpredictability to the front line, bagging eight goals and three assists in 52 appearances. His last strike — a winner off the bench against Luton — was classic Vinicius: chaotic, timely, and joyful. He spent the last half of this season on loan at Galatasaray.
Staying Put: Cairney and Tete
While goodbyes dominate the headlines, fans were quick to clock the names listed under “offered new contracts” — and were delighted to see Tom Cairney and Kenny Tete among them.
Cairney, now 33, has been the heartbeat of Fulham for nearly a decade. A silky midfielder who stuck with the Club through promotions, relegations, and everything in between, he’s one of the few remaining links to the 2018 Play-Off Final win over Aston Villa. He remains captain, icon, and fan favourite.
Tete, meanwhile, is a Rolls Royce of a right-back — strong in the tackle, composed in possession, and a true competitor. Despite injuries, he’s been instrumental in Fulham’s stabilisation in the Premier League and would be sorely missed if not retained.
Also offered new deals are promising young talents Luc De Fougerolles, Callum Osmand, and Lemar Gordon, signalling the Club’s ongoing commitment to developing the next generation.
The Full List of Departures
Alongside Willian and Vinicius, Fulham confirmed the exits of:
- Terry Ablade
- Luca Ashby-Hammond
- Chris Donnell
- Imani Lanquedoc
- Connor McAvoy
- Delano McCoy-Splatt
- Callum McFarlane
- Damon Park
- Stefan Parkes
- Luca Picotto
- Oscar Varney
Some of these names, like McAvoy and Ashby-Hammond, had been on the club’s radar for years through the academy system, while others were lesser-known development players.
What Next?
With the transfer window opening and head coach Marco Silva reportedly drawing interest from elsewhere, Fulham fans know this could be the start of a pivotal summer.
But for now, there’s just time to reflect. Time to thank Willian for the finesse, Vinicius for the chaos, and all the others for their service in black and white.
And perhaps most importantly — time to hope that when next season kicks off, Cairney is still wearing the armband and Tete is still marauding down the right flank at the Cottage.
