Chris Richards joins Crystal Palace from Bayern - Dallas benefit

This article first appeared on July 18 and has been updated with new information. 

US men's national team defender Chris Richards has finally found a permanent. Initially reported by Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg the 22-year-old has signed for Premier League side Crystal Palace. A deal with Bayern Munich was made official on July 27. The Rekordmeister will receive €20 million, including all add-ons, with 35% of that fee going to Major League Soccer side FC Dallas. 

 

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

Bayern's spending has exceeded €130 million the most spent by any club this summer. Those spendings have been balanced by earning almost €70 million on the transfer market this summer. Richard, whose market value is €7.5 million, now helps to balance the books, even with a portion of the fee going to Dallas.

Richards to Crystal Palace: "He has developed really well"

Richards, in turn, finally finds a permanent home. The center-back has spent the last 18 months on loan at Hoffenheim. There Richards managed one goal and two assists in 34 games across all competitions. Palace are partly owned by American investor John Textor, who wants to grow the club's profile in the United States. Bayern paid just €1.1 million to sign Richards from Dallas on a permanent deal in 2019.