Crystal Palace sign Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz

David Lynch

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 1 min read

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz 05.

The Frenchman joins the Eagles on an initial 18-month loan deal with a permanent option reportedly worth €15m included.

Mateta, who joined Mainz from Lyon in 2018, has scored 27 goals in 71 appearances for the German club – including 10 in just 17 outings this season.

Roy Hodgson will hope the 23-year-old can bring that form to England and help Palace improve on a return of two goals from their last seven games.

“I’m very happy to come to Crystal Palace and I look forward to training,” Mateta told Palace TV.

“[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 Paris-born forward also revealed the role Hodgson played in his move to Selhurst Park.

He added: “I spoke with him [Hodgson] over the phone but I want to speak with him face to face. [He spoke] French – good French.

“I know this manager is a good trainer with a good team.”