Crystal Palace have signed forward, Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal for £30m.
Nketiah was the subject of failed bids from Marseille and Nottingham Forest this summer, as the 25 year-old sought a move away from Arsenal for regular football.
Palace ultimately increased their interest with a formal bid of £25m plus £5m in add-ons, totalling £30m which Arsenal accepted with just days until the transfer window shut.
Nketiah is delighted to join Palace and can’t wait to return to South London as he explained: “It’s amazing to sign for Crystal Palace – I’m excited to get going.
“Every time I come back to South London, it always puts a smile on my face, so it’s good to be back home.”
Chairman, Steve Parish added: “It’s brilliant to welcome Eddie, a senior England international, back to South London – we are delighted he has signed for Crystal Palace.
“I am confident that his energy, talent and hunger to succeed will endear him to his new teammates and supporters alike.”
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta explained that Nketiah’s move will allow the youngster to grasp a new opportunity, and gain regular game time this season.
“We are so grateful to Eddie for his performances with us. He is a player who has developed well through our Academy and now he takes this opportunity with Crystal Palace.
“Eddie is a top professional, loved by everyone at the club, who wanted and needed to play more minutes. We wish Eddie well as he moves onto his next challenge.”
Nketiah began his career with Chelsea’s academy before he switched to Arsenal in 2015, where he graduated through their youth ranks and has achieved 38 goals in 168 appearances since his debut in September 2015.
The forward however spent the first half of 2019-20 season on loan at Leeds where he managed five goals in 19 appearances, as the Whites ultimately went on to claim promotion to the Premier League at the end of that season.
Last season saw Nketiah earn his first international call-up for England for September 2023’s fixtures, where he was an unused substitute in a friendly win over Scotland.
Nketiah eventually earned his first senior cap as a substitute in a friendly win over Australia a month later, in October.
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