Crystal Palace signs Anan Khalaili in most expensive deal for an Israeli soccer player

London team agrees to pay Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise $28 million for the 21-year-old Israeli star, weeks after his move to Inter Milan fell through

By Agencies 15 August 2026, 2:51 pm

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Union St-Gilloise’s Israeli forward #25 Anan Khalaili celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 6, football match between Royale Union Saint-Gilloise (BEL) and Olympique de Marseille (FRA), at the RSC Anderlecht Stadium in Brussels, Belgium, on December 9, 2025. (NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP)

LONDON — Crystal Palace announced the signing of Anan Khalaili from Belgian club Royale Union Saint-Gilloise on Saturday, weeks after the Israel winger’s proposed move to Inter Milan broke down.

The 21-year-old Khalaili, who primarily plays on the right, signed a five-year deal “subject to international clearance,” the Premier League team said on its website. British media reported the transfer fee was 24.5 million euros ($28 million), making him the most expensive Israeli signing.

“I’m happy to be here, I’m excited, and I can’t wait to start,” said Khalaili.

“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.”

“We are very excited to have completed this signing and we are delighted that Anan has chosen to continue his journey with Crystal Palace,” said Palace chairman Steve Parrish.

The transfer comes a month after Inter president Giuseppe Marotta said at a press conference that Khalaili had not been given medical clearance to join after the sides had agreed on a transfer. Marotta said: “Italy has very strict legislation protecting players’ health, with decisions made by an independent body rather than the club’s medical staff. We have to abide by this decision.”

Come behind the scenes with Anan ???? pic.twitter.com/pdjeMqDYQq

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 15, 2026

Inter’s loss is seemingly Palace’s gain.

Khalaili developed at hometown club Maccabi Haifa before moving to Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgum in 2024.

Khalaili has made 16 appearances for Israel. He is the fifth summer signing for Palace after Óscar Mingueza, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Dwight McNeil and Evann Guessand.

Times of Israel Staff contributed to this report