Crystal Palace make first January transfer window signing - and closing in on second

Crystal Palace have announced their first signing of the January transfer window - and are closing in a second move.

The Eagles have made Jean-Philippe  Mateta loan move from Mainz permanent, reportedly paying £9million for the French striker.

And the Croydon outfit are hopeful of landing Derby striker Luke Plange before 11pm.

Mateta has signed a four-and-a-half year deal with the Eagles.

Patrick Vieira has been impressed when the 24-year-old has come in, particularly when he fired Palace past rivals Millwall in the FA Cup.

Mateta said: “I’m happy. I want to say thank you to the gaffer [Patrick Vieira], he trusted in me.

“And [thank you to] Dougie [Freedman], the chairman [Steve Parish] and the team and the fans also, and my family.”

Chairman Steve Parish added: “We are delighted to secure the long-term future of Jean-Philippe.

“Coming to a new country, a new team and a new league is not easy and JP worked incredibly hard to get and then take his opportunities.

“He really has shown the aptitude, attitude and dedication we look for along with his natural footballing ability.

“I’m looking forward to seeing much more of him in a Palace shirt.”

Parish is also hoping to secure former Arsenal academy star Plange before the transfer deadline.

Sportsmail is reporting that the Eagles have had a £1m offer accepted, on the condition that Plange is loaned back for the rest of the season.

Despite Derby’s transfer embargo, it is thought a compromise has been reached with the EFL to allow the startlet to finish the season at Pride Park, after signing with Palace.

But Eagles fans will have to wait to see whether that deal gets completed before the clock hits 11pm.