Bayern Munich’s Richards joins Crystal Palace

Chris Richards

, the

defender, made a move to

on a five-year contract this summer.

The United States international has been capped eight times and for the most part of the previous two seasons, he was on loan at Hoffenheim, where he featured in 34 matches.

He climbed down the pecking order at the Bundesliga side when Matthijs de Ligt joined from Juventus this summer.

Palace announced that he has penned a contract with the club on Wednesday. Patrick Vieira’s side have reportedly paid £8.5million (€10m) for the player. Richards is eager to take up a new challenge in England.

"I grew up watching the Premier League and grew up watching [Wilfried] Zaha, so it'll be cool to spend some time on the field with and be a part of this historic club,"

he said. 

"I'm really excited for it. It's a lot of young players but also young players who have a lot of fight. Palace is a club that seems like they're always fighting."

Bayern gave Richards a permanent deal when he pulled off impressive performances on trial basis four years ago; however, he did not become a regular.

"Chris came to the FC Bayern Campus at the age of 18. He demonstrated his talent in his first year when he played for our reserves," Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said.

"That's why we signed him from FC Dallas, and Chris went on to develop really well on loan at Hoffenheim. 

"Now his big desire is to succeed in the Premier League. We wanted to make that possible and we wish him all the best at Crystal Palace."

Richards is the fourth signing Palace had after Sam Johnstone, Malcolm Ebiowei and Cheick Doucoure.

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