Crystal Palace have confirmed they have signed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz on a permanent four-and-a-half-year deal.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed greater playing time under Eagles manager Patrick Vieira in recent weeks, recording two goals and an assist in his last five games in all competitions.
His original loan deal from last January had included an obligation to buy for £13m once he hit a certain amount of starts. He has not hit that figure, allowing Palace to renegotiate a lower fee.
That sum is said to be around £8m, with Palace confiriming the transfer on deadline day.
In a club statement, Mateta said: “I’m happy. I want to say thank you to the gaffer, 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 said: “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.”
Palace had been hoping to add to their strike force this month. They saw several approaches for Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah knocked back, while attacking midfielder Donny van de Beek was also a target before he was loaned to Everton.
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