Crystal Palace announce shock arrival of Germany international

Crystal Palace have announced the arrival of former Schalke midfielder Max Meyer on a free transfer.

Meyer has been a free agent since the end of last season and running down his Schalke contract but has struggled for suitors.

The Germany international is an exceptional talent but his excessively high wage demands proved too high for any interested sides.

With time running out in the transfer window, Palace have remarkably taken advantage of the situation and handed the 22-year-old a three-year deal worth a reported £80,000-a-week.

“I feel really good and I’m happy to be here. I can’t wait to start training with the team and I hope I’ll have a good season,” he told the club’s official website.

“I’m proud to be here and I hope I can make the next step in my career. I want to give my best and I think we can have a good season - maybe better than the last.

“I played at Selhurst Park last season for Schalke and the atmosphere was perfect, and I can’t wait to experience the atmosphere for a Premier League game.

Meyer is highly rated but suffered from a lack of football towards the end of last season after falling out with Schalke’s hierarchy over contract talks.

Of players aged 23 and under that made at least 15 appearances in the Bundesliga last season, Meyer required the fewest minutes per interception (1 every 32.1 minutes of action).