Crystal Palace sign Anan Khalaili as Pierre Sage rebuild continues | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on a five-year deal with an option of a further year. According to The Standard, the fee is around £21million, with add-ons included.

The 21-year-old Israel international joins as a wing-back and becomes the fifth addition of the Pierre Sage rebuild, following Dwight McNeil, Oscar Mingueza, Evann Guessand and Takehiro Tomiyasu. McNeil arrived in a swap for Brennan Johnson.

Khalaili comes in amid reported interest in Daniel Munoz, the south Londoners’ first-choice right wing-back. Options on that flank had thinned after Danny Imray left for Wrexham and Nathaniel Clyne departed at the end of his contract. Palace have also lost Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea.

On arrival, Khalaili said he was happy to be at Palace, excited, and eager to get started. He has long followed the Premier League and the club, and sees this as a new challenge.

Capable of playing higher up the flank, he helped USG secure a first top-flight title in 90 years. He scored three times in the Champions League as the Belgian side also lifted the Belgian Cup.

He had already linked up with his new team-mates before the announcement, with supporters spotting him in a Palace tracksuit during the training camp in Germany. He signed autographs and posed for photos, and the club teased his unveiling with a playful tweet on Saturday morning.

Pre-season has gathered pace under Sage. After a 3-0 defeat by Bromley, Palace recorded 3-1 and 2-1 wins over Ula and Fulham. They open their Premier League campaign at the Hill Dickenson Stadium against Everton.

Source: The Standard

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