Crystal Palace new signings: Confirmed ins and outs for summer 2023
Crystal Palace has been quiet on the transfer market so far, as Jefferson Lerma is the only player that will boost coach Roy Hodgson’s side ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League Start.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder has been a valuable player for Bournemouth throughout the 2022/23 season, as he made 37 official appearances for the team. During that time, the Colombian player managed to score five goals and get booked on seven occasions.
Will he find his place in coach Hodgson’s starting XI? He certainly has the required potential to do so. A key plus in his favor would be the fact that he can also operate in the right of the defense, giving his 75-year-old manager options.
Jefferson Lerma joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer, so there’ll be no pressure for the 28-year-old to prove his worth asap.
Matheus França
Joining from Brazilian side Flamengo on a five-year contract. Franca became just the second signing by Crystal Palace when he signed from Brazil. Having made 27 first-team appearances in Brazil, Franca joins the Premier League side for £17m, plus another £9m in add-ons.
Since Zaha left the club, Palace have been desperate to add attacking reinforcements to the squad. In Franca, they might have found one, though he’s going to need time to get up to speed. Sadly for Roy Hodgson, Franca will start the season injured. Having joined the club with a stress injury, which will likely keep him out for some time still.
Dean Henderson – Manchester United
Having spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, Dean Henderson was destined to find a new club at the start of the season. With Manchester United having signed a replacement already, Henderson was in need of a new home. Signing for Crystal Palace for around £15m, plus £5m in add-ons, Henderson becomes Palace’s third major signing of the window.
Henderson played 18 times for Forest last season, before an injury forced him out of the starting 11. He was then replaced by Kaylor Navas of PSG. Dean Henderson will now look to push on with his career and now push for an England spot once again.
Rob Holding – Arsenal
Signing on a permanent deal for just £4m, the 27-year-old will sign a three-year deal with Palace. Playing 162 times for Arsenal, Rob Holding now calls an end to his time with Arsenal. Holding only really featured as a substitute in 2022/23 season, and will be hoping to get much more game time this season.
Crystal Palace’s top departures
Wilfried Zaha (Galatasaray)
Only a couple of days ago, Turkish giants Galatasaray completed the signing of former Crystal Palace superstar Wilfried Zaha. Galatasaray snapped Zaha on a free transfer after his deal with Palace expired.
The fans are undoubtedly displeased by the 30-year-old’s decision to move, and rightfully so. He’s a club legend that should arguably have stayed at the team rather than opting for a Galatasaray move.
However, it’s his career, so the fans have to be more understanding. Wilfried Zaha has been wearing the Crystal Palace jersey since he was eight years old. He went on to make 458 official appearances for the club across his two spells, scoring 90 goals and supplying teammates with 76 assists.
Luka Milivojevic (Released)
On 24 May, 2023, it was confirmed that midfielder-in-chief Luka Milivojevic would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract. After six wonderful years with Palace, Luka Milivojevic and the club decided that it was best for the two sides to part ways.
Luka made a total of 183 appearances for Palace in which he scored 26 goals. We’ll have yet to see where the wind might take the 32-year-old defensive midfielder, but one thing is certain – he’ll be truly missed by Crystal Palace’s fans.
Luka Milivojevic is the 2nd key player to leave the club on a free transfer, and the fans have every right to be upset by the board’s lack of financial prudence to sell him and Zaha rather than lose money on free transfers.
James McArthur
Another club legend leaving the team. 35-year-old James McArthur confirmed that he’ll be leaving Crystal Palace’s ranks upon the expiry of his contract.
It’s a sad transfer summer for Crystal Palace’s fans, as they have to endure so many key players leaving the club, without much fresh blood to boost coach Roy Hodgson’s side.
James McArthur made one hell of a career with Palace after joining the team back in 2014. During his Crystal Palace spell, the Scottish midfielder made a total of 240 appearances and scored 17 goals.
The 2022/23 Premier League season was not his best, as he was only featured in four official league games. It’s understandable why he provided no returns for his club. He’s no longer up to par with Premier League’s standards, and perhaps a new chapter in his professional career is exactly what the unyielding midfielder needs at this stage of his life. We’ll have to wait and see if he’ll remain in the Premier League or if he’ll boost a Championship side.
Jack Butland
Having spent the latter half of last season on loan at Manchester United, Jack Butland’s time was always going to be up at the end of the season. He’s now completed a permanent transfer to Scottish side Rangers. Butland joins Rangers on a four-year contract, as he seeks first-team football.
