Anan Khalaili has wasted no time making his excitement clear after completing his move to Crystal Palace.
The 21-year-old has joined the Eagles from Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in a deal reportedly worth £21 million. He has signed a contract that will keep him at Selhurst Park until 2031.
Khalaili can operate as either a winger or full-back, giving Pierre Sage another versatile option as Crystal Palace continue to reshape their squad.
And the new arrival already sounds eager to get going in south London.
“I’m happy to be here, I’m excited, and I can’t wait to start,” Khalaili said after completing the move.
Khalaili has been watching Palace for a while
There is an interesting detail in Khalaili’s first Palace interview.
The winger has followed the Premier League for a long time and says Palace are a club he has been keeping an eye on.
“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 then made it clear that Palace’s recent success was a major attraction.
“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. They have deserved to win three trophies and I want to do more.”
That’s quite the ambition from Palace’s latest signing.
Khalaili arrives after enjoying a trophy-filled spell in Belgium. Since joining Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024, he helped the club win their first Belgian Pro League title in 90 years as well as the Belgian Cup.
Now he gets the opportunity to test himself in England.
Palace’s summer rebuild continues
Khalaili becomes the fifth addition to Sage’s squad this summer as Palace continue building on their recent success.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oscar Mingueza have both arrived on free transfers, while Dwight McNeil joined from Everton as part of the deal involving Brennan Johnson. Evann Guessand returned from Aston Villa on a season-long loan as well.
Palace chairman Steve Parish is clearly delighted to have got the deal over the line.
“We are very excited to have completed this signing and are delighted that Anan has chosen to continue his journey with Crystal Palace.”
For Khalaili, though, the excitement is already obvious.
He has followed Crystal Palace for years, watched their recent success from afar and now has the chance to play a part in what comes next.
With a long-term contract until 2031 and a clear desire to make an impact, Palace supporters won’t have to wonder whether their new signing is ready for the challenge.
