Crystal Palace have signed the defender Joachim Andersen from Lyon. The Denmark international, who spent last season on loan with Fulham in the Premier League, has joined on a five-year deal.
Andersen is Patrick Vieira’s fourth signing of the summer, after Michael Olise, Remi Matthews and Marc Guehi. He was part of the Denmark squad that reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals, coming on in their last three matches.
The 25-year-old told Palace’s website: “The management of the club and Patrick Vieira have given me very strong assurance that they know my qualities, they believe in me and want me to play an important role in the team. I have a very positive impression of Patrick from the conversations I have had with him.”
With Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho and Scott Dann released, central defence was an area which needed to be bolstered and Andersen fits the style of play being implemented by Vieira. He gained admirers for his quality on the ball at Fulham, and joins for a reported fee of €17.5m (£14.9m), plus €2.5m (£2.13m) in add-ons.
Another former Fulham player, the goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, completed his free transfer to Chelsea on Wednesday. The 29-year-old will provide competition for Édouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Andersen’s arrival at Palace coincided with the club’s former left-back Patrick van Aanholt joining Galatasaray on a free.