Crystal Palace Sign Anan Khalaili in Record $28m Transfer
Crystal Palace have stepped into the space Inter Milan left behind and moved decisively for Anan Khalaili, completing a deal that makes the 21-year-old the most expensive Israeli footballer in history.
The club confirmed on Saturday that the Israel international has signed a five-year contract after agreeing a fee with Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. The move is still “subject to international clearance,” but all major terms are in place.
Transfer fee: 24.5 million euros ($28 million)
British reports value the transfer at 24.5 million euros ($28 million), a huge outlay by Palace standards and a clear statement about how highly they rate the right-sided winger.
Khalaili, speaking after the announcement, made no attempt to hide his enthusiasm.
“I’m happy to be here, I’m excited, and I can’t wait to start,”
he said. He talked about growing up watching English football and keeping a close eye on Palace in particular.
“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.”
Inside Selhurst Park, the feeling is mutual. Chairman Steve Parish hailed the capture of one of Europe’s most talked-about young attackers.
“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, framing the move as a key part of the club’s long-term project.
The transfer arrives just weeks after Khalaili’s proposed switch to Inter Milan collapsed in dramatic fashion. Inter president Giuseppe Marotta revealed last month that, although a deal had been agreed, the player was not granted medical clearance by Italy’s independent health authorities.
“Italy has very strict legislation protecting players’ health, with decisions made by an independent body rather than the club’s medical staff. We have to abide by this decision,”
Marotta said at the time.
Inter walked away. Palace stepped in. The contrast is stark: where one path closed, another opened in the Premier League.
Khalaili’s rise has been rapid. Developed at hometown club Maccabi Haifa, he earned his move to Union Saint-Gilloise in 2024, using the Belgian side as a springboard into one of Europe’s top leagues. His performances there, coupled with his growing influence for Israel, pushed him onto the radar of major clubs.
Already capped 16 times by his country, he arrives in south London not as a prospect hidden in the shadows, but as an established international expected to contribute quickly.
He also becomes part of a busy summer at Palace. Khalaili is the club’s fifth signing of the window, joining Óscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand in a reshaped squad that suddenly looks younger, deeper, and far more adventurous.
Palace have paid big money and taken a bold swing on a player whose move to Serie A fell apart under the brightest spotlight. Now the question shifts to England: how high can Khalaili climb in the Premier League, and how far can this new-look Palace side go with him on the right flank?
