LONDON (UK) – French striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has been signed in by Crystal Palace from Mainz on an 18-month loan agreement, said the Premier League club on Thursday.
Mateta has netted 10 goals in 17 matches this season and was part of the French team that made it to the semi-finals of the under-21 European Championship in 2019.
“I’m very happy to come to 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 23-year-old said.
According to Steve Parish, chairman of Palace, the club had followed the development of Mateta, who started playing for French third-tier side Chateroux before joining Ligue 1 Olympique Lyonnais.
He spent time with Le Havre before shifting to Mainz in 2018, scoring 27 goals for the German club in 71 games.
“He’s a player that is full of potential with a proven goal-scoring record,” Parish said.
“And his signing reiterates our commitment to ensuring we have a well-balanced squad in terms of youth and experience for the seasons ahead.”