Crystal Palace have completed the signing of teenage Millwall winger Romain Esse on a five-and-a-half-year deal, marking a significant addition to their squad as they aim to strengthen their attacking options in the Premier League. The 19-year-old Lions academy graduate, who has an impressive track record, has represented England at under-18, U19, and U20 levels, highlighting his potential and skill on the international stage. He joins Palace for a reported external fee of £12m, which has the possibility of rising to £14.5m with various add-ons.
Esse made his professional debut for Millwall as a 17-year-old on January 26, 2022, and has since established himself as a promising talent, scoring seven goals in 66 appearances for the club. His performance has caught the attention of several clubs, and it’s no surprise that Palace has moved quickly to secure his services.
Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his enthusiasm for Esse’s signing, stating, “Romain is the type of player who gets crowds off their seats – the type of player long associated with south London and Crystal Palace Football Club.” He added that everyone at the club is eager to see him shine on the pitch and realize his exciting potential, emphasizing the significance of this signing for the club’s future ambitions.
Hailing from Lambeth, Esse has contributed five goals for Millwall this season, with his most recent goal coming in a 2-1 defeat in the Championship against Norwich on Boxing Day. Despite his contributions, Millwall manager Alex Neil recently sidelined him during their 3-0 FA Cup victory over Dagenham & Redbridge, underscoring the escalating transfer speculation surrounding the young winger and the need for clarity regarding his future.
The transfer was officially confirmed by Crystal Palace on Saturday, following Esse’s successful medical examination, which assures fans of his readiness to compete in the upcoming fixtures. Esse expressed his excitement about joining the club, stating, “I’m very excited to be here. It’s a good project and a good opportunity, so I just can’t wait to get started.”
As for Palace, under the management of Oliver Glasner, they are gearing up for their match against West Ham on Saturday at 15:00 GMT. The team enters the weekend sitting 15th in the Premier League table, having recently moved eight points clear of the relegation zone thanks to a solid 2-0 win at Leicester City in their last outing. With Esse now on board, fans will be eagerly watching to see how he integrates into the squad and influences their campaign going forward.
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