Crystal Palace confirm signing of Joachim Andersen on a five-year contract

Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Lyon defender Joachim Andersen on a five-year contract.

The Eagles have landed the impressive Denmark international, 25, and reports claim they have agreed a package worth around £20million with the French club.

The centre-back was on loan at Fulham last season. Palace have already signed Marc Guehi from Chelsea but have lost Gary Cahill, Scott Dann and Mamadou Sakho from last year's squad.

Palace are also still keen on signing Schalke's Ozan Kabak, who was on loan at Liverpool, and he could cost around £12m.

Andersen said: 'I'm extremely proud to be joining Crystal Palace and to be playing in the world's best football league.

'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, and I have heard nothing but great things about the manager, the club and its plans for the future.'

Eagles chairman Steve Parish added: 'In Joachim, we have added another highly-rated defender to our squad, and as a player with Premier League and international experience, we are extremely pleased to welcome him to Crystal Palace.'

Andersen, who was part of the Denmark side to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020, made 31 appearances in the Premier League last season.

He took the captain's armband at Craven Cottage after only four games and was one of the club's standout performers, helping them keep nine clean sheets.

The defender joined Lyon in the summer of 2019 and made 32 appearances in his first season before being loaned to Fulham.

Palace are in the process of rebuilding under Vieira, who was appointed as the club's new manager earlier this month.

Andersen is the latest impressive addition after the Eagles saw several first-team stars depart at the end of the season. Michael Olise has also joined from Reading.

Andros Townsend joined Everton on a free transfer while defenders Cahill and Patrick van Aanholt have both left after failing to agree new deals.

Cahill is without a club but Van Aanholt has signed for Galatasary.