Crystal Palace Sign Anan Khalaili for £21 Million

Crystal Palace have moved quickly to strengthen their right flank, sealing a deal for Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in a transfer worth around £21 million, with further add-ons agreed.

The 21-year-old Israel international signs on a five-year contract, with an option for a further year, and arrives at Selhurst Park at a time when Palace’s right side badly needed reinforcements. With Daniel Munoz still heavily linked and viewed as the club’s first-choice right wing-back target, Khalaili’s capture adds fresh competition and much-needed depth.

He is the fifth arrival of a busy first window for new manager Pierre Sage. Dwight McNeil has already come in as part of a swap deal that saw Brennan Johnson depart, while Oscar Mingueza, Evann Guessand and Takehiro Tomiyasu have also joined the Frenchman’s new-look squad.

Those additions have been offset by some notable exits. Maxence Lacroix has gone to Chelsea, and Palace’s options on the right of defence had thinned alarmingly after Danny Imray joined Championship side Wrexham and Nathaniel Clyne left at the end of his contract. The gap was obvious. Palace have now moved to close it.

“I’m happy to be here, I’m excited, and I can’t wait to start,” Khalaili said after the move was confirmed. “I’ve followed the Premier League – it’s a new challenge for me – and I’ve followed Crystal Palace for a long time. I’m happy to be here.”

Khalaili brings more than just energy at wing-back. Comfortable higher up on the flank as well, he played a key role in a historic season for Union Saint-Gilloise, helping the Brussels club secure their first top-flight title in 90 years. On the European stage he also left a mark, scoring three times in the Champions League as USG coupled domestic glory with a Belgian Cup triumph.

Palace fans had already caught an early glimpse of their new signing before the club made it official. Khalaili was spotted in a Palace tracksuit with the squad at their training camp in Germany, signing autographs and posing for photos. The club leaned into the intrigue, teasing the announcement with a tongue-in-cheek “Anyone got a spare autograph book laying around” post on Saturday morning.

On the pitch, Sage’s pre-season has gathered some momentum after a shaky opening. A 3-0 defeat to Bromley was a bruising start to his tenure, but Palace have responded with a 3-1 win over Ula and a 2-1 victory against Fulham. Now, with Khalaili added to the mix and more business potentially to come, the shape of Sage’s first Palace side is starting to emerge.