Crystal Palace complete the signing of 22-year-old Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure on a five-year deal ahead of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign. Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure on a five-year deal ahead of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign. The 22-year-old had been a target for much of the transfer window for Patrick Vieira's side, and the Frenchman has finally got his man after completing a deal on Monday. The Eagles will pay the Ligue 1 side an initial fee of €21m (£17.8m), which could potentially rise to around €25m (£21.1m) depending on add-ons included within he deal. Speaking to the club's official website following the announcement, Doucoure said: "I'm very happy, I feel a lot of joy and a lot of pride to be a Palace player. I'm proud to be at Palace today." After overseeing their third signing of the transfer window, following the arrivals of Sam Johnstone and Malcolm Ebiowei, Palace chairman Steve Parish added: "Cheick's arrival is yet another statement of intent, demonstrating our ambition to further improve the squad this summer. "We are extremely confident that Cheick will adapt seamlessly to the rigours of the Premier League and that he will contribute positively to the squad, and I wish him all the very best for his time with us." Doucoure, a Mali international, made 34 Ligue 1 appearances for Lens during the 2021-22 campaign, impressing in central midfield alongside Seko Fofana to help them to an excellent seventh-placed finish. ID:489844: cacheID:489844:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2828:
Crystal Palace complete deal to sign Lens midfielder Cheick Doucoure
Crystal Palace have completed a deal to sign Mali international midfielder Cheick Doucoure from Lens in a deal that is expected to cost an initial €21 million. Palace could eventually pay closer to €26 million for the 22-year-old, who follows Malcolm Ebiowei and Sam Johnstone in moving to Selhurst Park this summer. Doucoure said of joining Palace: “I'm very happy, I feel a lot of joy and a lot of pride to be a Palace player. I’m proud to be at Palace today.” Chairman Steve Parish added: “Cheick's arrival is yet another statement of intent, demonstrating our ambition to further improve the squad this summer. “We are extremely confident that Cheick will adapt seamlessly to the rigours of the Premier League and that he will contribute positively to the squad, and I wish him all the very best for his time with us." Lens are also likely to benefit from a sell-on clause, which they have inserted into the deal, guaranteeing them a percentage of any future transfer fee should Doucoure leave Selhurst Park. Palace's initial offer for the midfielder was knocked back, but dialogue was maintained with a view to striking a compromise. The player, who made 34 appearances and scored once in the French top-flight last season as Lens finished an impressive seventh for the second year in succession, has signed a five-year contract. Doucoure was Palace’s principal midfield target this summer. At 22, he fits the profile of player the club have targeted in recent times as they continue to reinvigorate their squad, with Patrick Vieira having also been impressed by his contribution over the last four years in France. Midfield was an area of concern this summer, with the loanee Conor Gallagher having returned to Chelsea and Cheikhou Kouyate expected to depart as a free agent. No agreement has been reached as yet on a new contract for the Senegalese, who is seeking a two-year deal. James McArthur was restricted by injury to only 15 Premier League starts last term while another midfielder, the experienced Luka Milivojevic, began only nine top-flight games.
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