Crystal Palace complete Ismaila Sarr transfer – ex-Watford attacker pens five-year deal

Crystal Palace have announced the signing of Ismaila Sarr from Marseille for a fee in the region of £12.5m.

The 26-year-old joined Marseille from Watford in July last year for an undisclosed fee after scoring 34 goals in 131 appearances during his time at Vicarage Road.

Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman has been a long-term admirer of Sarr since his spell at Rennes.

He joins Daichi Kamada and Chadi Riad through the doors at Selhurst Park this summer.

Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “We have been admirers of Ismaïla for some time now and are delighted to be able to welcome him to the club.

“He is a player who has proven his ability both in English football and on the European and international stage, and I am confident he will be a valuable addition to Oliver’s squad.”

Manager Oliver Glasner said: “We’re happy that Ismaïla has decided to join Crystal Palace because he knows the Premier League when he played at Watford, he knows living in England, and he also had many games with Marseille last season.

“In every year, in every club where he was, he’s showed that he can score goals. He showed it as well in the national team for Senegal, so we are really pleased that he will join our group.”

Sarr added: “I am very happy to be here because Crystal Palace is a great club. Thanks to the coach and the Sporting Director – they told me about their project, and I accepted because it is a good project.

“I am going to work hard on the pitch and off the pitch for the team and for the fans as well.”