Town have confirmed the signing of Fulham midfielder Sasa Lukic, the Serbian international having penned a four-year deal.
The clubs agreed a straight £9 million fee with no add-ons towards the end of the week with the 29-year-old, the Blues’ eighth senior signing of the summer, completing a medical yesterday.
"I am proud to sign for this club,” Lukic said. "I know there is a great history here and some brilliant supporters so I can’t wait to get started.
"I have played at Portman Road before in the Premier League and the atmosphere was one of the best I have experienced. I can’t wait to play here as a home player.
"I am a box-to-box player who gives my all every time I am on the pitch and I’m excited to meet everyone and get started.”
Manager Gary O’Neil add: "Sasa is a player who brings real experience to the squad heading into the new season.
"Having played nearly 100 games in the Premier League, he knows what it takes to compete in the division and has been a consistent performer throughout his time at Fulham.
"We are delighted to have him with us and further strengthen an important area of the pitch.”
Lukic, who won’t be involved in today’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano with his visa expected to be granted on Monday, had been with the Cottagers since January 2023 and made 74 starts and 32 sub appearances for the West Londoners, scoring three times.
The midfielder, who had a year left on his contract but with Fulham having an option for a further season, started his career with Partizan Belgrade, spending time at Teleoptik on loan before, in 2016, joining Torino where, aside from a season on loan at Levante in Spain, he played for almost seven years.
Born in Sabac, Lukic has won 62 Serbia caps, scoring two goals, and played all their games at both the 2022 World Cup finals and Euro 2024.
Lukic, who will become the first ever Serbian to represent the Blues, adds to Town’s depleted central midfield options and is the second player recruited from Fulham this summer, defender Issa Diop having made the switch last month.