The Biggest Deal in Israeli Football: Anan Khalaili Signs with Crystal Palace

Anan Khalaili has signed with Premier League club Crystal Palace in a deal worth £21 million, the highest amount ever paid for an Israeli footballer. The 21-year-old arrives from Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise, where he had a standout season with 46 appearances, six goals, and five assists, including three goals in the Champions League. He signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional season.

Anan Khalaili made the biggest step in his career today (Monday) by signing with Crystal Palace from the Premier League. The Israeli winger joins the English club in a deal that will see Palace pay Union Saint-Gilloise £21 million, a sum that makes Khalaili the most expensive Israeli footballer in history. Khalaili signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional season. The move to the Premier League comes after prolonged negotiations over Khalaili's future, as he was sought after by several European clubs, including Inter Milan, but that deal fell through after the player failed his medicals. In the end, Crystal Palace managed to complete the deal and add one of the most prominent talents to emerge in Israeli football in recent years. For Khalaili, this is a significant leap, as he will now try to prove himself on one of the biggest and most competitive stages in the world. The 21-year-old winger arrives in England after a standout season at Union Saint-Gilloise. Khalaili recorded 46 appearances in all competitions, 44 of them in the starting lineup, and accumulated nearly 3,800 minutes of play. His tally includes six goals and five assists, and during the season he significantly expanded his repertoire, transforming from a pure attacking player into a more versatile one who can also operate as a right-back. In the Belgian league, Khalaili recorded three goals and five assists in 38 appearances, but he left the biggest impression in the Champions League. The Israeli scored three goals in seven appearances in the competition, including a brace against Marseille in December, and was even named by ESPN in the team of the league phase. Khalaili arrived at Union Saint-Gilloise in the summer of 2024 from Maccabi Haifa, and quickly became a sought-after name in the European market. His performances on the European stage, including matches against top continental clubs, helped raise his stock and attract interest from clubs in the major leagues. Now he joins Crystal Palace, which will try to benefit from his ability on the wing and the versatility he has shown in recent years. For Khalaili, this is an opportunity to become a significant Israeli player in the Premier League and establish his status.