Israeli international Anan Khalaili was unveiled Saturday as a Crystal Palace player after signing a five-year contract with the English Premier League club, completing a move worth about 25 million euros ($29 million) and becoming the most expensive Israeli soccer player ever.
Crystal Palace announced the signing after completing a deal with Belgian champion Union Saint-Gilloise. British media reported the fee at about 24.5 million euros to 25 million euros. Khalaili, 21, signed through 2031 with an option for an additional season and will wear the No. 25 shirt.
The move comes about a month after a proposed transfer to Inter Milan collapsed because Khalaili did not receive medical clearance from the Italian club. Inter President Giuseppe Marotta said at the time that the sides had reached an agreement before the deal fell through following medical examinations. Crystal Palace later completed its own medical assessment before moving ahead with the transfer.
Palace posted a welcome video on X showing Khalaili in several versions of the club’s kit.
“A new home. A new journey. A new dream,” Khalaili says in the video. “Now I get to experience it for myself. I’m ready. See you soon.”
“I’m very happy to be here,” Khalaili told the club’s official website. “I’m excited. Can’t wait to start. I have followed the Premier League for a long time. It’s a new challenge for me. And Crystal Palace I like, because I have followed them for a long time.”
Khalaili said Palace’s recent success was part of the attraction.
The south London club won the UEFA Conference League last season, its first European trophy, and will play in the Europa League in the coming campaign.
Anan Khalaili unveiled as Crystal Palace player
(Photo: Crystal Palace)
“They have deserved to win three trophies and I want to do more. It’s not enough to win three trophies,” Khalaili said. “We want to do more as we can and I’m here to help the team.”
Describing his style of play, Khalaili said: “I’m strong, I’m fast. I like to dribble. But I also like to defend. I like to help the team and to show the fans my quality.”
Asked about a favorite Premier League player from recent years, he named Mohamed Salah.
Palace chairman Steve Parish welcomed the signing.
“We are very excited to have completed this signing and we are delighted that Anan has chosen to continue his journey with Crystal Palace,” Parish said. “We look forward to welcoming him to Selhurst Park.”
Khalaili, who can operate as a winger or wing back on the right, joins Palace after establishing himself as one of the most highly regarded young Israeli players in European soccer. He previously played for Maccabi Haifa before moving to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
His transfer fee surpasses previous records for an Israeli player and makes him the only Israeli currently in the Premier League, widely regarded as the world’s richest domestic soccer competition.
The Palace move also represents a quick turnaround after the disappointment of the failed Inter transfer.
Khalaili had appeared set to join the Italian giant earlier in the summer after Inter identified him as a potential option on the right flank. The clubs had agreed terms, but the transfer collapsed when he failed to secure the required medical clearance under Italy’s system. Palace was not deterred and moved to complete a deal valued at roughly the same level.
Khalaili’s initial salary at Palace is expected to be about 1.5 million pounds ($2 million) per season before bonuses, with annual increases built into the deal.
He could also have an immediate path into Palace’s starting lineup.
Colombia international Daniel Muñoz, Palace’s established right-sided defender, is expected to leave the club, with Chelsea among the teams linked to him. If Muñoz departs, Khalaili would be among the leading candidates for a starting role on the right.