Premier League side Crystal Palace have broken their transfer record to officially rope in Liverpool forward Christian Benteke. The transfer fee is believed to be in the region of £27m, which can further rise up to £30m after including other expenses.
Good morning #CPFC fans! #WelcomeChristian ??https://t.co/0UFjJhguse
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 20, 2016
The new four-year-contract will keep Benteke at Crystal Palace until 2020. The Belgian striker is the fourth signing for Palace this summer after they roped in Andros Townsend, French goalkeeper Steve Mandanda and former West Ham United defender James Tomkins.
#CPFC are delighted to confirm the signing of @chrisbenteke from Liverpool on a four-year deal. #WelcomeChristian pic.twitter.com/rYaJZ7jn6d
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 20, 2016
Speaking to the club’s official website, Benteke said: “I’m very happy to commit my future to Crystal Palace and I’m looking forward to meeting the manager, the players and the staff.”
“I feel really happy that the deal has been done and now I can look forward.”
#WelcomeChristian @chrisbenteke #CPFC ??? pic.twitter.com/ZSlXLPyhw1
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 20, 2016
Earlier last summer, Crystal Palace had broken their transfer record for securing the services of Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint-Germain for a believed to be in the region of £10m. Later they edged past their previous record to rope in Townsend for £13m. However, after signing Benteke, the club has documented its name among the big guns.
Liverpool had signed Benteke from Aston Villa last summer for £32.5 million. However his recent performance in the Premier League was not up to the standards set by Liverpool. Inconsistency in his form prevented him from earning a spot in the first team.
The club had high hopes from him but Benteke failed to deliver up front and managed to score only 9 Premier League goals in 29 appearances. Benteke was also denied a start in Liverpool’s Europa League final clash against Sevilla and was brought in as a substitute in the 83rd minute.