FC Bayern sign Michael Olise from Crystal Palace

FC Bayern have signed 22-year-old forward Michael Olise from Crystal Palace on a five-year contract, valid through to 30 June 2029.

Max Eberl, FC Bayern board member for sport, praised Olise’s impact and potential.

“Michael Olise is a player who can make the difference and attracted great interest with his style of play. We want new impetus in our team, new energy, new ideas – that’s what players like Michael Olise stand for,” Eberl said.

“During the talks, he quickly signalled that he really wanted to join FC Bayern. We’re very much looking forward to him. He will enrich our game.”

Christoph Freund, FC Bayern sporting director, highlighted Olise’s versatility and skill.

“Michael is quick, tricky, a goal threat and very versatile in attack. His goals and assists stats are already outstanding. At the age of 22, Michael is already very advanced, but is also hungry and still has a lot of potential. Fans come to the stadium to see players like Michael Olise.”

Olise himself expressed his excitement about the move.

“The talks with FC Bayern were very positive, and I’m very happy to now be playing for such a big club. It's a great challenge, and that's exactly what I was looking for. I want to prove myself at this level and play my part in ensuring that we win as many titles as possible with our team in the coming years.”

Born in London, Olise came through the youth systems at Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City before making his senior debut for Reading in March 2019. He joined Crystal Palace for the 2021/22 season, where he scored 16 goals and provided 25 assists in 90 competitive appearances.

Olise, who has French citizenship through his mother, has opted to represent France at youth level.

He has earned seven caps for the France U21 team, scoring one goal, and competed in last summer’s U21 European Championship.

Eligible to represent France, Algeria, England, or Nigeria internationally, Olise made his debut for the France U18 team in June 2019 and was named as a standby for Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March 2021. He was called up to the France U21 team for the first time in March 2022, debuting in a 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands U21 team.