6 days ago
21
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise for approximately £21 million, making the 21-year-old the most expensive Israeli footballer ever sold. The deal, announced on August 15, represents Palace’s fifth acquisition of the summer window and arrives after a proposed move to Inter Milan fell apart.
Khalaili’s fee, equivalent to roughly €24.5 million, shatters the previous transfer record for an Israeli player. His contract at Selhurst Park runs five years through 2031, with an option for a sixth season, subject to international clearance.
From Haifa to Brussels to South London
Khalaili came through the ranks at Maccabi Haifa, where he racked up 52 appearances and scored 15 goals before moving to Belgian football in the summer of 2024.
At Union Saint-Gilloise, he helped the Brussels-based club capture their first Belgian Pro League title in 90 years and contributed to a Belgian Cup victory. Inter Milan reportedly came close to securing his signature before that deal collapsed, opening the door for Palace to swoop in.
Maccabi Haifa is set to receive approximately €3 million from the transfer thanks to contractual arrangements. For a club of Haifa’s size, that windfall represents meaningful revenue from a player who left their books two years ago.
What Palace are getting
Khalaili’s primary position is right winger, but he can also operate as a full-back or wing-back, giving Palace’s coaching staff tactical flexibility. At 21, Khalaili already holds 16 senior caps for Israel’s national team.
Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish expressed enthusiasm about adding Khalaili to their squad, while Khalaili himself stated his excitement about joining a club he has long admired, indicating his ambition to make an impact in the Premier League.
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