Crystal Palace have confirmed the permanent signing of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. Palace signed the forward on an 18-month loan deal in January 2021 with an option to buy. His form for Patrick Viera has convinced the Eagles to sign the Frenchman on a four-and-a-half-year deal with the fee believed to be around £8 million.
Jean-Philippe Mateta Signs Permanent Deal With Crystal Palace
Jean-Philippe Mateta has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the club ✍️
Delighted to have you permanently, JP! 💥#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 31, 2022
Striker Happy to Have Signed
Former Mainz striker Mateta spoke to Palace TV after signing, he said: “I’m happy. I want to say thank you to the gaffer [Patrick Vieira], he trusted in me. And [thank you to] Dougie [Freedman], the Chairman [Steve Parish] and the team and the fans also, and my family.”
Chairman Steve Parish added: “We are delighted to secure the long-term future of Jean-Philippe. Coming to a new country, a new team and a new league is not easy and JP worked incredibly hard to get and then take his opportunities.
“He really has shown the aptitude, attitude and dedication we look for along with his natural footballing ability. I’m looking forward to seeing much more of him in a Palace shirt.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta Turned His Palace Career Around
Earlier this month, it was believed that Palace could have ended the loan spell of Mateta. The striker started the season in the Eagles first-team; however, he struggled for form and goals and would play just four minutes in a 17 game spell this season. He returned to the team over Christmas and began to display the form that made Palace bring him to the club originally.
In his four games since returning, he has scored twice and assisted once impressing manager Patrick Viera enough to make his move a permanent one. Mateta is Palace’s only incoming deal so far this window having missed out on Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek.
Main Photo
