Jean-Philippe Mateta: Crystal Palace complete loan deal for Mainz striker
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Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored seven league goals this season for Mainz
Crystal Palace have signed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta on an 18-month loan from Mainz.
The deal for the Frenchman, who has scored 10 goals this season including seven in the Bundesliga, comes with an option to buy.
"Playing in the Premier League was my dream when I was a child," the 23-year-old told the Eagles website., external
"I spoke with Roy Hodgson on the phone. He spoke French - good French. This manager is a good trainer."
Mateta will give Hodgson another option in attack and the former England manager will hope he can have an impact on a side who have struggled for goals this season.
Christian Benteke has scored three league goals, Jordan Ayew has only one and Michy Batshuayi has not opened his account since re-signing on loan from Chelsea.
The south London side have a number of senior players entering the last few months of their contracts and have already made a space in their squad following Max Meyer's release this month.
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