Crystal Palace have completed two late Deadline Day moves after signing on-loan forward Jean-Philippe Mateta permanently and Derby teenager Luke Plange.
Mateta, who initially joined on loan from Mainz last January, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal.
The Eagles have paid £9m to the Bundesliga side to secure the Frenchman’s services permanently after Palace boss Patrick Vieira blocked interest from France this month.
The 24-year-old has made 15 appearances for Palace and scored three goals.
Mateta told Palace TV: “I’m happy. I want to say thank you to the gaffer, he trusted in me. And [thank you to] Dougie [Freedman], the Chairman [Steve Parish] and the team and the fans also, and my family.”
Chairman Steve Parish added: “We are delighted to secure the long-term future of Jean-Philippe. Coming to a new country, a new team and a new league is not easy and JP worked incredibly hard to get and then take his opportunities.
He really has shown the aptitude, attitude and dedication we look for along with his natural footballing ability. I’m looking forward to seeing much more of him in a Palace shirt.”
