Dean Henderson, the England goalkeeper, has finalized his £20 million move to Crystal Palace and signed a five-year contract at Selhurst Park.
The 26-year-old’s permanent transfer was completed on Wednesday, and an announcement is expected soon. He spent 12 years at Manchester United, where he competed for the No. 1 jersey and spent six seasons on loan.
When he returns, Henderson is anticipated to be Roy Hodgson’s first choice, while United are set to sign Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce for £4.3 million to replace summer signing Andre Onana.
Henderson was granted permission to undertake a medical at Palace over the weekend, which checked the thigh injury he suffered last season while helping Nottingham Forest secure Premier League survival.
Henderson’s medical was finished on Tuesday, and the rest of the details of the contract have been worked out, with Henderson committed to Palace until 2028. The cost between the clubs, including add-ons, is £20 million.
Nottingham Forest, Henderson’s most recent loan club, considered signing him earlier in the summer but instead signed USA international Matt Turner and is still looking for a second goalkeeper before the deadline on Friday.
Henderson had had a successful season at the City Ground. Earlier in his United career, he helped Sheffield United secure Championship promotion and stay in the Premier League the following year. In previous loan spells at Stockport, Shrewsbury, and Grimsby, he gained first-team experience.
When he returned from Sheffield United, he fought David De Gea for the No. 1 jersey and had a run in the team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2020/21 season, but then gave a shock interview saying he was “fuming” over not being first choice at United.
He is anticipated to be Hodgson’s starting goalkeeper currently, with Palace hunting for a replacement after Vicente Guaita declined to participate in pre-season friendlies in order to leave the club. England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will compete with Henderson for the position.
