£27m – but Benteke is a bit confused
CRYSTAL PALACE finally broke their transfer record to sign striker Christian Benteke from Liverpool on a four-year deal.
The Eagles confirmed the capture of the 25-year-old Belgian after the clubs agreed an initial £27 million fee plus add-ons.
The move comfortably dwarfs Palace’s previous record purchase, set only this summer when they bought Andros Townsend from Newcastle for £13m.
“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,” said Benteke.
“I feel really happy that the deal has been done and now I can look forward.”
Benteke failed to take off at Liverpool after moving from Aston Villa last summer, but brings to Selhurst Park a record of 51 Premier League goals in four years.
Speaking about the protracted move, boss Alan Pardew praised his club’s board for sanctioning the deal.
The former Newcastle manager said: “I’m pleased the board have been brave with this move.
“For us, we need to get him back to doing what he does best. His style of play, the way he feeds off crosses. He’ll enjoy that with the wide players we have.”
However, Benteke himself may not have endeared himself to his new employers after appearing confused as to which club he had joined.
After completing the move, the striker mistakenly announced on Twitter he had joined Burnley – spelling their name wrong for good measure.
His updated Twitter profile featured pictures of himself in a Palace shirt but the bio read: “Burnley FC and Belgium national team.”
He then changed the club to CPFC, but not before the error was mocked by several of his 350,000 followers.
Benteke added an apology, tweeting: “Oops, my bad. Yes, I signed for CPFC and not Burnley.
“Sorry for the little mistake – the person that manages my Twitter got a little confused.”