Palace’s latest signing has already excelled in both France and the Netherlands – let’s take a look at Walter Benítez’s career so far in pictures...
The commanding 6’3 goalkeeper began his professional career in his native Argentina with Quilmes Atlético Club back in 2013.
During these formative years he also represented his national side at youth level.
In January of that year, Benítez was part of the Argentina squad that went to the South American under-20 Championships, held in his home country.
Benítez made the move to Europe in 2016, signing for OGC Nice in France’s Ligue 1.
Although initially starting out as a back-up goalkeeper, within two seasons the Argentine established himself as the undisputed first choice between the posts.
In his first season, Benítez was also given a first taste of European action – starting in a 2-1 win over Krasnodar on matchday six of the Europa League group stage.
Here Benítez is pictured below making a vital penalty save during a 1-1 draw with Caen, midway through the 2017/18 Ligue 1 campaign.
Selhurst Park will provide Walter’s first taste of regular English football – but he has been to London before, as evidenced below!
He was also part of the PSV side that faced Liverpool and Arsenal in the Champions League last season.
Benítez helped Nice to a fifth-placed finish in the league back in 2021/22, his final season with the club.
The summer of 2022 saw the Argentine goalkeeper join Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. It didn’t take him long to win silverware – with victory in the Johan Cruyff Shield in July.
PSV reached the knockout stage before being eliminated in the play-off round of the Europa League.
But Benítez would get his hands on silverware again that season in the form of the Dutch Cup…
His time in the Netherlands ended with a second consecutive league title – PSV edging out rivals Ajax by just one point to claim the Eredivisie.
