Crystal Palace star Michael Ohlis has reportedly completed a £50m-plus move to Bayern Munich.
Born in London to a French-Algerian mother, the France Under-21 international has scored 16 goals and provided 25 assists in 90 appearances for the Eagles since joining from Reading in 2021.
Thank you all @cpfc. Thank you for the journey I have had as a player at this club and the love shown by everyone since day one. Thank you to all the staff, players and especially all the fans who have supported me. I will be forever grateful ❤️💙
— Michael Olise (@MichaelOlise10) July 7, 2024
The 22-year-old had spells at Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City as a youth player before joining the Royals’ Academy in 2018, making his debut eight months later and signing a three-year contract in July 2019.
He was named the EFL Young Player of the Year for 2020/21 before his £8m move to Selhurst Park.
Chelsea and Newcastle were linked with the winger this summer, but he decided to move to Germany on a five-year deal to play for new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany.
🔴 FC Bayern have signed Michael Olise Unter Vertrach. ⚪
🤝🔗 https://t.co/HbGdvnjBoS#FCBayern #MiaSanMia #servermichael pic.twitter.com/uUE18QQPOw
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayern) July 7, 2024
“The conversation with FC Bayern was very positive and I am very happy to now be playing for such a big club,” Ollis told the Bayern website.
“It’s a big challenge and that’s what I’m looking for. I want to prove myself at this level and do my part to help the team win as many titles as possible over the next few years.”
Bayern’s sporting board member Max Everi said: “Michael is a player who can make a difference and has attracted a lot of attention with his style of play.
“We want new momentum, new energy, new ideas in the team. That’s what a player like Michael represents.
“During the negotiations, he quickly expressed his desire to join FC Bayern. We are very excited about him. He will enrich our game.”
Sporting director Christoph Freund said: “Michael is quick, tricky, a goal threat and very versatile in attack. His goal and assist statistics are already outstanding.
“At 22, Michael is already very good, but he is also hungry and still has a lot of potential. Fans come to the stadium to see players like him.”
It was fun, Michael ❤️💙
We can confirm that Michael Ohlis has completed a permanent transfer to Bayern Munich.
— Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) July 7, 2024
Chairman Steve Parish told the Palace website: “We are extremely proud of Michael’s achievements at Crystal Palace, a club where he has developed so much as a player.
“We respect his desire to further test himself at the highest level of world football and I personally wish him all the best for his next adventure in Germany at Bayern Munich. I am sure we will all be watching him closely.”
Ollis has been included in the French team for the Olympic Games in Paris starting later this month.
Bayern are also close to signing Fulham’s Portuguese midfielder Joao Palinha in a deal valued at more than £42m.
