An in-depth look into our new winter recruit, Fabio Carvalho…
Born in Torres Vedras, Portugal, to an Angolan father and Madeira-born mother, Carvalho grew up in Zona J. Chelas and played youth football for Oliviais Sul and Benfica until the age of 11 when he and his family moved to London.
Playing for Balham before signing for Fulham in 2015, the 21-year-old was an ever-present in the Cottagers’ youth teams. Netting three times in the FA Youth Cup and being a consistent in both the Under-18s and Under-21s, the attacking midfielder made an impression on the youth divisions.
Scoring 15 and registering 13 assists in the U18 Premier League and netting 16 goals and recording six assists in the Premier League 2, Carvalho penned his first professional contract in May 2020, making his senior debut four months later as a substitute in a EFL Cup round three victory over Sheffield Wednesday.
Featuring in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round in his second Fulham appearance, the 21-year-old would make his Premier League debut in May 2021 against Chelsea before netting his first senior goal 10 days later against Southampton.
With Fulham being relegated to the Sky Bet Championship, Carvalho played an influential role the Cottagers’ return to the top flight. Scoring three goals in his first five matches, including a finish against City in a 2-0 home victory, he was awarded the EFL Young Player of the Month for August. Playing 38 games, the 21-year-old netted 11 times in all competitions and registering eight assists as the Cottagers secured the Championship title.
His impressive form in his first full season in first-team football saw him earn a move to Premier League giants Liverpool in May 2022. His debut saw the midfielder lift his first piece of silverware with the Reds when featuring as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Manchester City in the FA Community Shield final.
Making his league debut for Liverpool against his former club Fulham a week later from the final win, Carvalho netted in back-to-back Premier League victories over AFC Bournemouth and Newcastle United, with his finish over the latter being a 98th-minute winner. Featuring 13 times in England’s top flight in total in his debut campaign, the 21-year-old made his UEFA Champions League debut when starting in the 7-1 thrashing away at Rangers.
After playing 21 times in all competitions in the 2022/23 campaign, scoring three goals, Carvalho continued his development with a loan switch to Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig. A debut brought a third trophy in the young midfielder’s career when featuring in the DFL-Supercup final, a game RBL won 3-0 against Bayern Munich.
Also featuring in the Bundesliga, DFL Pokal and UEFA Champions League, the 21-year-old had his loan spell ended early in Germany by Liverpool last month. He made 15 appearances in total for the German side.
Internationally, Carvalho earned his first caps at Under-15s level, playing as a 14-year-old on his debut against Türkiye in December 2016. Earning five caps for then Kevin Betsy’s side, at Under-16s level, the midfielder scored his first international goals, netting in two separate fixtures against Brazil.
Earning 10 caps at Under-16 level, eight with the Under-17s and six with the Under-18s, Carvalho switched his allegiances to his home country of Portugal when being called up for their respected Under-21s side in March 2022, ahead of European Championship qualifying games against Republic of Ireland and Greece, scoring once and assisting one against the latter.
Registering two assists and scoring twice in four caps, the attacking midfielder was named in Portugal’s preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, but he was not selected for the final 26-man squad.
