Crystal Palace have signed Luke Plange from Derby County on a three-and-a-half-year contract in a £1m transfer deal.
Plange began his career at Arsenal where he graduated through the Gunners’ Youth Academy but was released in March 2021, which enabled Derby to snap him up on a free transfer.
After spending the latter half of last season plus the first four months of this season within Derby’s Academy, Plange made his senior debut for the Rams in early December in a 1-0 loss at Bristol City and has gone on to score three goals in nine appearances.
His latest goal came last weekend as he opened Derby’s goalscoring in a comeback 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham City at Pride Park, which led Palace to make a Deadline Day move yesterday (31 January) for Plange in a £1m deal on a three-and-a-half-year contract until June 2025.
As part of the transfer, Plange will stay at Derby on loan until end of this season with the 19 year-old striker commenting: “I’m very excited to be joining a big Premier League club.
“I’m ready to crack on. Obviously I’ll be with Derby, fighting for them in the Championship at the moment, but I will be ready to go back to Crystal Palace in the summer and get ready to go.”
Plange also teased Palace fans about his style of play as he revealed that he likes to do everything as he added: “I like to run in-behind, I like to come to feet, I like to take on players. To shoot from outside the box, poach inside the box, on my left and my right.”
On his idols, Plange revealed that the “world class” Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry are his inspiration, having watched clips or old games featuring Ronaldo or Henry.
Plange though is currently playing under England’s record goalscorer, Wayne Rooney at Derby and complimented his boss, as he described Rooney as “a world class striker” who can’t be knocked given his experience.
On what lessons he has learned from Rooney this season, Plange added: “I’m taking tips and he’s helping me grow as a striker, and all the things he’s telling me I’m just trying to implement into my game and improve as a striker as well.”
Recent seasons have seen young players like Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze break through into Palace’s first team, with Plange confident that he can follow in their footsteps in “trying to get into the team and push as much as possible,” by continuing to improve his game moving forward.
Palace Chairman, Steve Parish added that Plange will hopefully be a key player in future seasons as he said: “Luke is an exceptionally talented young footballer and one we hope will bring a range of attributes to the club in the years to come.”
Parish though candidly acknowledged the challenges facing Derby who are currently in administration as he noted the “significance” of Plange to the Rams at present in their battle against relegation on top of off-pitch financial issues.
Urging leniency from Palace fans to Plange’s loan move back to Pride Park, Paris reminded them of their own situation just over a decade ago, as he commented: “It is less than 12 years ago that our club was in a similar situation – as a result we were determined to ensure both clubs benefit through this deal.
“Therefore Luke will return on loan for the remainder of the season and help Derby with their important battles on and off the pitch.”
Plange echoed Parish’s remarks by insisting that he was determined to continue playing for Derby until end of season, owing to the Rams’ “tough situation” which he believes the club doesn’t deserve but has vowed to remain committed to helping Derby fight for Championship survival.
Parish concluded by revealing that he will “look forward to seeing Luke compete in Palace colours soon,” whilst urging both Palace and Derby fans to enjoy Plange’s performances this season at Derby.
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