Crystal Palace Sign Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Anan Khalaili from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in a deal worth around £21million, rising with add-ons, as Pierre Sage continues his rapid overhaul in south London.
The 21-year-old Israel international arrives on a five-year contract, with the club holding an option for a further year, and walks straight into a squad that has been crying out for reinforcements on the right side of defence.
Sage’s rebuild gathers pace
Khalaili is the fifth new face through the door under Sage. Palace have already brought in Dwight McNeil in a swap deal for Brennan Johnson, along with Oscar Mingueza, Evann Guessand and Takehiro Tomiyasu, as the Frenchman wastes no time reshaping the squad in his image.
There has been movement the other way. Maxence Lacroix has joined Chelsea, while the right flank had started to look dangerously thin. Danny Imray has gone to Championship side Wrexham and long-serving Nathaniel Clyne departed at the end of his contract, leaving Daniel Munoz as the only established right wing-back amid ongoing interest in the Colombian.
That is where Khalaili comes in.
Capable of operating as a wing-back or higher up the flank, he offers Sage both depth and tactical flexibility on the right. Palace have been tracking options in that area; now they have landed one with European pedigree.
Title winner with European pedigree
Khalaili arrives off the back of a landmark season with Union Saint-Gilloise. The youngster played his part as the Brussels club secured a historic top-flight title, their first in 90 years, and added the Belgian Cup to complete a remarkable domestic double.
He also made his mark on the European stage. The wing-back scored three times in the Champions League for USG, showcasing the attacking thrust that will appeal to a Palace side looking to be more adventurous under Sage.
Speaking after sealing the move, Khalaili 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. "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."
Spotted before he was signed
The formal announcement almost felt like a formality. Khalaili had already been spotted with his new team-mates before Palace confirmed the deal, pictured in club tracksuit during the squad’s training camp in Germany.
Supporters quickly clocked the unfamiliar face, and the new signing spent time signing autographs and posing for photos. Palace leaned into the growing intrigue on social media, teasing the unveiling with a tongue-in-cheek post asking if anyone had "a spare autograph book laying around" on Saturday morning.
By the time the club made it official, Khalaili already felt part of the group.
Pre-season momentum builds
Sage’s tenure began with a jolt – a 3-0 defeat to Bromley that underlined how much work lay ahead. The response has been sharp. Palace have since beaten Ula 3-1 and Fulham 2-1, performances that hinted at a clearer structure and a livelier attacking edge.
Now they add a dynamic, title-winning wing-back to that mix.
With the right side of defence reinforced, Munoz’s situation under scrutiny and Sage’s imprint becoming more visible by the week, Palace’s summer is starting to take shape. The question is no longer whether they are rebuilding – it is how far this new-look side can push once the real games begin at Selhurst Park.
