January 21 2021

Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace have signed forward JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA on an 18-month loan deal from Mainz.

The former France U21 international netted 10 goals in 17 appearances for the German Bundesliga club this season.

Palace have been tracking the 23-year-old for a while and have an option to buy him if he impresses.

The Eagles reportedly paid a €3 million loan fee and he will cost a further €15 million if Palace take up the option.

MATETA said: "I’m very happy to come to Crystal Palace and I look forward to training. Playing in the Premier League was my dream when I was a child. Now I can play, I will show the fans of Crystal Palace what I can do."

The 6ft 4in player began his career at Chateauroux and signed for Lyon in 2016, before going on loan to Le Havre a year later.

MATETA joined Mainz in a club record transfer in 2018 where he has scored 27 goals in 71 matches overall.