Crystal Palace complete signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz 05

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz 05 on an initial 18-month loan with an obligation to buy.

Mateta, who has scored 10 goals in 17 appearances this season, will bolster Roy Hodgson’s faltering attack, with both Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi proving ineffective this season.

As The Independent revealed on Monday, Palace had placed Mateta high on their list of targets and were preparing an offer for the 23-year-old. The initial loan fee is worth £2.5m while an obligation worth a further £13m will come into effect providing certain targets are met.

Upon signing with Palace, Mateta said: “I’m very happy to come to Crystal Palace and I look forward to training. Playing in the Premier League was my dream when I was a child. Now I can play, I will show the fans of Crystal Palace what I can do.”

Club chairman Steve Parish said: “We have followed Jean-Philippe’s development with keen interest for some time, and I’m so pleased that we have been able to bring him to south London.

“He is a player that is full of potential with a proven goal-scoring record, and his signing reiterates our commitment to ensuring we have a well-balanced squad in terms of youth and experience for the seasons ahead.”