Chelsea signed Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor in a deal worth a reported £40 million ($54 million) on Tuesday, but the teenager will spend this season on loan at Crystal Palace.
Ahanor, 18, will swap Serie A for south London during his temporary spell at Palace before joining Chelsea officially in 2027.
He made 22 league appearances for Atalanta last season having moved from Genoa a year ago, making his debut for Italy in a friendly against Luxembourg in June.
The move to UEFA Conference League winners Palace will mean the teenager will get Premier League experience as cover for Chadi Riad, who ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament against Everton.
“I’m very happy to be here and to be a part of this great family,” Ahanor told Palace’s website.
