Crystal Palace has kicked off their summer transfer window by securing their inaugural signing, Moroccan center-back Chadi Riad, in a transfer valued at £12m, with an additional £2m in potential add-ons.
The 20-year-old, who initially joined Real Betis on loan from Barcelona last summer before making a permanent switch, has now joined the Eagles on a contract running until June 2029.
During the previous season, Riad featured in 30 matches across all competitions for Betis, contributing to their seventh-place finish in La Liga.
“As a full international at just 20 years old, Chadi is an exciting young player who we are delighted to be able to welcome to the club,” said Palace chairman Steve Parish.
Riad added: “I was interested in coming here because of the history of the club, and the league in which it plays.
“The club has high-level players who are young and I have come here to follow their same trajectory, to grow as they have grown.”
In the 2023-24 campaign, Palace clinched victories in six of their last seven Premier League matches, securing a commendable 10th-place finish in the top-flight.